The most intimate thing is in the bedroom: a unique photo project on how women in Kuwait live

We are accustomed to the fact that all Arab women must be covered with their heads, must wear a hijab and strictly follow Sharia rules. In general, this image will not go out of our head for more than a decade, however, eastern women are getting more and more freedoms and rights. Photographer Maha Alasaker is from Kuwait, a small country on the Arabian Peninsula sandwiched between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Just four years ago, Maha moved to the USA. All friends of the photographer asked with curiosity about the women of this eastern country: how they dress, whether they have a driver’s license, what they do and what they live in the East, full of prohibitions. And then Makha decided to show what kind of lifestyle her compatriots lead, she created the project “Women of Kuwait”. In her portraits there are women who are not much different from Europeans: they are in comfortable clothes, with loose hair, against the backdrop of a modern and beautiful interior, they are also doing what they are interested in. Maha photographed them in the bedroom - this is the most private space of Kuwait. Also, the heroines themselves were preparing for a photo shoot, choosing an outfit for themselves and surrounding themselves with their favorite things that could tell about their interests. This photo project is a kind of response to the West, a story about how Arab women live and that they have more and more rights and freedoms.

Maha tried to tell in her project what the everyday life of Kuwait women is like and what it means to be a young girl in Kuwait.

Sharifa al-Falah works at the Institute of Scientific Research in the marketing department, married, 39 years old

Traditional clothing for women in Kuwait is abaya (a black long dress that covers everything except hands and face) and hijab. But it is not mandatory, and young people generally prefer the western style.

Abrar Alebrahim works as an architect at Kuwait International Airport, divorced, 34 years

However, many women still prefer traditions, appearing in common rooms and outside their homes in classic dresses.

Farah Khayyah organizes various holidays and events, single, 31 years

Kuwaiti women have the same rights as men, they also study at universities, can hold responsible positions and receive good salaries.

Maryam al-Nusif works as a chef and enjoys gardening, single, 35 years

Of course, there is also its own framework: for example, Kuwait’s voting rights were received not so long ago, only in 2005. There are some restrictions in the country: for example, a Kuwait who married a foreigner does not have the right to transfer his citizenship to children. A man who married a foreigner is allowed.

Khaniin Alasaker works as a financial analyst, single mother, 41 years old

The most intimate place for these women is the bedroom, where Kuwaitis can be alone with themselves, where they walk with their hair loose and in such clothes familiar to the West.

Avatif Alsabah teaches English literature and is engaged in life-coaching, married, 44 years old

The portraits of Mahi are so frank that people after viewing photos do not believe that they were shot in Kuwait.

Havraa Almaksid works as a research fellow at the College of Architecture, and also has her own design studio, single, 34 years old. The modern interior is more like apartments in Manhattan, and the women in the pictures are completely different from American women. Xeina al-Musallam earns freelance, photography, and also part-time stylist, single, 29 years old

These photos seem to say that the East is not at all what it used to be, it is becoming modern and is changing rapidly. Yes, not at such a speed as the West, however, it would not hurt for Western countries to slow down and take an example from them.

Shuruk Amin teaches Pilates, Ph.D. in Literature and Artist, Divorced, 50 years

Kuwaiti girls have a very responsible mission: they must maintain a balance between the desire to be modern and the love of their traditions.

Phoebe Salem a teacher of yoga who is engaged in urban planning, has a bachelor's degree in literature, single, 39 years old

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