The Kuwait News Agency reported that Alnowair has graduated 35 women from its Future Women leadership development program. The four-month initiative focused on building leadership skills to enhance women’s roles in decision-making and their active participation in both the workplace and broader society. Funding came from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kuwait with strategic partnerships involving the European Union and the Commercial Bank of Kuwait. The graduation ceremony took place under the patronage of Sheikha Intisar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, founder and chairperson of the non-profit organization.
Al-Sabah highlighted during the event that genuine leadership commences when a woman decides to know herself, confront her fears, and have faith in her value and capabilities, according to the news agency. The program featured nine intensive workshops rooted in positive psychology and leadership science, targeting areas such as leadership presence, decision-making, confident expression, and effective institutional communication. A dialogue session with leaders from different sectors explored women’s contributions to national development and the need for supportive work environments. Pre- and post-program evaluations revealed advancements in participants’ self-confidence, leadership readiness, and assertive communication, Alnowair told KUNA.
One participant, Dana Al-Dhafeeri, told the news agency that the training extended her beyond her routine engineering duties by enabling connections with women from various sectors and bolstering her communication and professional networking skills. Fellow graduate Alia Al-Haddad stated that the course enhanced her leadership abilities and boosted her confidence levels especially in professional settings. The initiative reflects Alnowair’s ongoing commitment to women’s empowerment through evidence-based methods that combine personal development with societal impact.
This graduation builds upon Alnowair’s prior Young Women Leadership Initiative from 2023 and 2024, which engaged 56 female students across high schools and a university, the organization reported on its website. That program, utilizing applied theatre techniques, achieved a 93.1 percent improvement in self-confidence and an 18.2 percent gain in leadership skills according to its impact assessment. All participants in the earlier cohort expressed desire to pursue additional leadership opportunities, with over 80 percent indicating interest in becoming mentors.
Alnowair describes itself as Kuwait’s first non-profit organization dedicated to societal well-being through the integration of positive psychology, experiential learning and art and culture, according to its official materials. Public Authority for Civil Information figures place Kuwaiti women at 48.9 percent of the citizen workforce as of June 2026, though a 26.7 percent gender pay gap persists according to Central Statistical Bureau data from the first quarter. The latest program attracted attendance from prominent figures including UN Resident Coordinator Ghada Eltahir, Indian Ambassador Paramita Tripathi, Canadian Ambassador Tara Scheurwater and bank representatives.
The Netherlands Embassy has previously supported similar Alnowair projects, reflecting sustained bilateral cooperation in this domain according to the organization’s records. The European Union and Commercial Bank of Kuwait have also contributed to creating opportunities for women to thrive in leadership capacities across the country. Participants left the program equipped with practical tools and a strengthened network to apply their enhanced skills in real-world contexts.
