The Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) has started issuing new “My Kuwait Identity” cards to expat wives of Kuwaiti men who had their nationality revoked under Article 8. These women will now receive civil ID cards that are valid for five years. The first cards were issued just yesterday.
What Does This Change Mean?
New Civil ID Cards: The new cards come with an expiration date of January 9, 2030. This will allow the women to have official identification for an extended period.
No Nationality Field: Unlike other ID cards, these will not have a nationality field. This means that the card will not state the person’s nationality.
“Treated as a Kuwaiti”: On these cards, the phrase “Treated as a Kuwaiti” will be displayed. This marks an important step in acknowledging their status while respecting their situation.
Why This Decision Was Made
The decision to issue these new civil ID cards was made following a meeting chaired by Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior. During this meeting, government leaders and officials discussed the issues faced by women who had lost their Kuwaiti nationality. They reviewed these cases and explored ways to ensure that these women can live with dignity and have access to basic services and rights.
What is Article 8?
Article 8 of Kuwait’s Nationality Law allows for the revocation of Kuwaiti citizenship in specific situations. One of these situations involves marriage to a foreigner. Many Kuwaiti women have lost their nationality when they married men from outside Kuwait.
This policy has affected many families and women who now face challenges regarding their identity and rights. The new “My Kuwait Identity” cards aim to help these women by offering them an official form of identification while respecting their rights and dignity.
The Impact of the “My Kuwait Identity” Program
The goal of the “My Kuwait Identity” program is to make sure that these women feel secure and have access to essential services. Here’s how it helps:
Providing Stability and Security: With the new civil ID cards, these women can now have an official ID that they can use to access vital services such as healthcare, education, and banking. This is especially important because, without an official ID, many would face difficulty in receiving proper services.
Improving Quality of Life: By receiving an ID card, these women will no longer have to worry about their identity being questioned. They will have official recognition, which is a huge step in improving their standard of living and quality of life in Kuwait.
The program ensures that these women are treated fairly and have the same basic rights as others living in the country. It’s a step forward in making Kuwait more inclusive and recognizing the challenges that some women face due to nationality issues.
What’s Next for These Women?
PACI has announced that the process of issuing these new civil ID cards will continue throughout the month. This means that more and more women will soon receive their “My Kuwait Identity” cards, helping them live with more dignity and security.
The government is committed to supporting these women as they move forward, ensuring that they have access to all the necessary services and resources they need. The steps taken so far represent progress, but there may be further measures to improve their situation.
Conclusion
The issuance of the “My Kuwait Identity” cards marks a significant change for expat wives of Kuwaiti men who lost their nationality under Article 8. By providing them with a civil ID card, the government ensures that these women can access basic services, live with dignity, and are recognized as part of the Kuwaiti society.
This initiative is a step toward creating a more inclusive Kuwait, where everyone, regardless of nationality, has the chance to lead a secure and fulfilling life. It also shows the government’s dedication to addressing the challenges faced by those affected by nationality laws.
As the issuance of these ID cards continues, we can expect more women to receive the recognition they deserve, contributing to their overall well-being and stability in Kuwait.