BIODATA
Rola Dashti became a member of parliament in Kuwait in 2009, the first time that women have been elected. She chairs the Kuwait Economic Society, is a member of the executive committee of Young Arab Leaders' Kuwait chapter, and is a founder of the Women Participation Organization. Born in Kuwait in 1964, she holds a Ph.D. in population economics from Johns Hopkins University.
SYNOPSIS
A dynamic force in Kuwaiti politics, society, culture, and economy, Dashti exemplifies the emergence of a new generation of active women entrepreneurs and leaders unintimidated by the attempt of Islamist discourse to confiscate the public space. Dashti subscribes to a progress-focused approach focused on development and reform, while relentlessly calling for the application of the rule of law.
EXCERPT (Translated)
The president of the Kuwait Economic Society, Dr. Rola Dashti described the overall political atmosphere as polluted, warning that Kuwait cannot endure additional crises.
In a statement given to Al-Qubs, she said: "The time has come for us to combine our efforts with those of governing institutions to eliminate the pollution that is affecting our economic, social, and political well-being as well as the security and the future of our children."
Dashti denounced using "love of Kuwait" as a pretext for destroying the social and democratic make-up of the state, deviating from parliamentary practices, or refusing to cooperate in order to escape our responsibility in promoting development and the respect and application of the law.
She said: "We have started to see that notions and demands that are essential to preserving our rights are being enshrined; namely, the application of laws, social justice, and equal opportunities. Individuals are advocating for them and there are people listening."
Dashti demanded equal enforcement of the law and confirmed that existing violations and breaches of the law do not give us the right to disregard and not enforce the law equally.
–"Rola Dashti: The historic responsibility of citizens," Al Qabas, March 20, 2008
EXCERPT (Original in Arabic- Link)
وصفت رئيسة الجمعية الاقتصادية الكويتية د. رولا دشتي الجو السياسي العام بأنه ملوث والكويت لا تتحمل المزيد من الهزات واضافت في تصريح لـ لقبس: آن الاوان لان تتضافر جهود جميع افراد المجتمع بمن فيهم مؤسسة الحكم ليساهموا في القضاء على التلوث الذي يؤثر في حياتنا الاقتصادية والاجتماعية والسياسية والامنية ومستقبل ابنائنا، على حد قولها.
واستنكرت دشتي استخدام حب الكويت ذريعة لتدمير البنية المجتمعية والديموقراطية للانحراف في الممارسة البرلمانية وعدم التعاون للهروب من المسؤولية التنموية واحترام وتطبيق القانون. وقالت: اليوم بدأنا نرى تكريس مفاهيم ومطالبات لهدم مبادئ اساسية في حماية حقوقنا والمتمثلة في تطبيق القوانين والعدالة المجتمعية وتكافؤ الفرص، والمشكلة ان هناك من ينادي بذلك وهناك آذان مصغية تسمع لذلك.
وطالبت دشتي بأن يطبق القانون على الجميع فعلا وليس قولا، مؤكدة في الوقت نفسه ان وجود المخالفات والتجاوزات على القانون لا يعطينا الحق في التمادي لتكريس مفهوم خاطئ، هو عدم احترام وتطبيق القانون على الجميع.
Previous
