Adey,
About married women being free to apply for a passport in this part of the world, Kuwait i's on the news, because it’s so revolutionary and daring for the gulf countries:
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/571282-kuwait-women-win-right-to-get-pass...

(the world knows and no need to argue here because some locals cant see the storm they are in, how developed and modern these societies are!!!!)