Kuwait's most inspirational women have been specially recognized during a gala dinner at Salmiya Palace hosted by Sheikh Mubarak Fahad Al-Salem Al-Sabah with the ceremony presented by Kuwaiti TV personality Sudaba Ali. The winners of the fourth Arab Women Awards Kuwait 2016 included Mariam Abdul Malik Al-Saleh, the first ever female teacher and headmistress in the country received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Najla Alghanim, chairperson of Gulf Consult who is dedicated to maintaining the company's place at the forefront of engineering consulting in Kuwait won Businesswoman of the Year, whilst prominent Kuwaiti blogger Ascia Al Faraj received the New Media Award. A special Honorary award from the judges was given to Sheikha Basma Mubarak Al Sabah who is a member of the Parents of Handicapped Association and also a member of the Literati Association. The Arab Woman Awards were established by ITP in 2009 to recognize successful women in business, education, entrepreneurship, media, government, literature, and other fields. Since launch the awards have become a powerful platform for recognising role models for a new generation of young women. The awards help to promote breast cancer awareness in every country in which they run and in Kuwait they support the Hyatt Breast Cancer Foundation. The foundation benefited from the proceeds of a silent auction that was conducted on the evening for an original piece of art by Manal Al Majed donated from the Center of the Arts. This year's award winners were chosen by a board of judges including Sheikh Mubarak Fahad Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Dr. Labiba Temmim, Sheikha Souad Jaber Al Sabah, and Hello! Arabia Editor Gina Tadros. "It was a real pleasure to help select the nominees and winners of this year's Arab Women Awards. Each one of them has an inspiring story to tell, and so much success to celebrate. Learning their stories have made me proud to be Kuwaiti, and given me great hope and pride for the present and future generations of Arab women" said honorary chairperson Sheikh Mubarak Fahad Al-Salem Al-Sabah. The Arab Women Kuwait Awards 2016 were supported by Tory Burch, Gulf Bank of Kuwait, The Sheraton Kuwait, The Flower Room and Center of the Arts (part of Groupxen), Ana Emr'aa, Rotana TV, Hello!, and Amouge. The Arab Woman Awards now run annually in the UAE, Kuwait, KSA and Qatar.
