RAJA HAMID RAŞID

Iraq- “It’s Time for Iraqi Women” is an initiative launched in Sulaymaniyah by women’s organizations across Iraq to empower women, increase women’s participation in decision-making positions and build a society based on gender equality.

The initiative led by Khanim Latif, the founder and director of the Asuda for Combating Violence against Women, was launched in Iraq more than six months ago. In 2000, Khanim Latif joined the women's rights movement in Iraqi Kurdistan. In 2002, she founded the first women's protection shelter providing shelter to victims of gender based violence.

“For 24 years, I have observed many failures in implementing laws,” Khanim Latif told NuJINHA. “Although there are a number of organizations about women’s issues, I have seen a decline in interest in women's issues, not only in Iraq, but also across the Arab region. Most of these organizations hold events and develop projects without focusing on changing policies or increasing women's participation in politics and decision-making positions.”

Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in Iraq in 2025. “The elections are expected to be held at the end of this year. Therefore, there is an urgent need to work for increasing women’s political participation. Women should have a voice in the parliament. We must improve women's representation in politics through the quota system. We must make efforts to promote women’s participation in politics and decision-making positions.”

Empowering women

The initiative's primary goal is to “empower women and build a society based on gender equality,” said Khanim Latif. “The initiative also seeks to ensure the nomination of qualified women from various political parties in the parliament. Women should serve as ministers in the parliament. It’s time for women to prove their presence in parliament, in ministries, and in local, international and regional negotiations. Women must have a strong and influential voice in all facets of life, especially in politics and the economy, and must participate in politics and decision-making positions in Iraq.”

Achieving social justice

“The initiative aims to achieve social justice, create a balanced society based on gender equality, increase women’s participation in decision-making positions and develop their fundamental rights,” said Abeer al-Chalabi, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs in Iraq. “The initiative also works in cooperation with NGOs and social and political actors in order to support women. It also calls on women to work together and achieve positive changes in Iraqi society in a way that guarantees individual rights and social justice for all people.”

“It’s Time for Iraqi Women is an initiative launched by women’s organizations advocating for gender equality and women’s rights in Iraq,” said Fatima Al-Bahadly, the executive director of the Iraqi Al-Firdaws Society. “We believe that women's political participation is a must to achieve positive change. The initiative will continue to hold a series of dialogue meetings with prominent political, religious, and social leaders, with the aim of breaking down barriers faced by women and building bridges of trust among women and various groups of society.”