Kuwait's First Female Cabinet Member is Seated

Kuwait's first ever female cabinet member took her oath of office today amid what is described as a vigorous shouting match between angry conservatives and jubiliant liberals on the parliament floor.

Massouma al-Mubarak's appointment is a symbol of genuine progress being made in democratizing Kuwait, which until granting women the vote this year allowed only one in seven Kuwaiti residents to participate in electoral politics. Kuwait is home to a huge number of guest workers from other nations who also can't vote, but the progress that Kuwaiti women have made this year is remarkable.

As always, religious fundamentalists oppose their advance, but Kuwaiti society appears to have crossed an important threshold. Congratulations to all Kuwaitis.