Arab Times reported on August 12, 2026, that a female African expatriate working in Kuwait shared a video online in which she described being stalked by a man driving a car after she left her workplace. The woman said the driver followed her vehicle repeatedly, contacted her by phone and persisted even after she tried to create distance, according to the account detailed in the newspaper. She interpreted his question about how much she wanted as an inappropriate proposition and considered confronting him or calling the police before crossing the road to deter further pursuit. The report noted that her specific allegations have not been independently verified and it was unclear whether she filed an official complaint with authorities.
The Arab Times coverage indicated the woman also spoke about broader disrespectful treatment that some Black women face in Kuwait based on their race or nationality. This element of her account has contributed to wider conversations about the safety of foreign domestic and service workers who often travel alone in public areas. Such incidents of unwanted pursuit can create feelings of vulnerability during routine commutes to and from employment.
Arab Times stated that harassment, unwanted pursuit and inappropriate advances can leave victims feeling unsafe particularly when they are alone while travelling to or from work. The publication encouraged women who experience such incidents to seek assistance from the authorities and report serious or repeated harassment. It added that respect for every member of society whether Kuwaiti or expatriate remains essential to maintaining a safe and respectful community.
A September 2025 statement from the UN human rights office urged Kuwait to strengthen implementation of reforms to address all forms of violence against women and girls including sexual harassment. The US State Department has reported that Kuwaiti authorities deployed women police officers to combat sexual harassment in shopping malls and other public spaces. UN Women data shows that globally almost one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime.
Ministerial decrees in Kuwait provide some legal basis for addressing sexual harassment according to a World Bank assessment of women business and law indicators. A UN ESCWA country matrix from 2025 noted that the penal code does not contain a dedicated clause on sexual harassment beyond provisions on indecent acts committed in private without consent. Earlier online campaigns such as one documented by Al Jazeera in 2021 collected dozens of testimonies from women reporting stalking and harassment in the country.
Figures reported by Times Kuwait on recent Ministry of Interior data indicated that assault cases across Kuwait dropped 53.2 percent in the first half of 2026. The Arab Times article concluded by stating no woman should have to feel unsafe simply because she is walking home from work. Kuwait hosts a large expatriate population from many countries which makes addressing such concerns relevant to community relations.
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