Women have considerable freedom.
However, a decree from the Amir in 1999 providing for women to be enfranchised encountered strong opposition in the National Assembly. Kuwait's oil wealth has drawn in thousands of workers from India, Pakistan and other Arab countries. Before the Iraqi invasion in 1990, Kuwait had the largest Palestinian population in the Arabian peninsula. The PLO's support for Iraq's invasion led to most Palestinians being driven out. After the war, Kuwaitis vowed never again to become a minority in their own country.