Mehrban Salam

Halabja — The increasing cases of violence against women and survivors have prompted activists and organizations in the city of Halabja to call for the creation of a specialized center for psychological and social support for affected women. This demand comes in the absence of any official body or protection center within the city, leaving women exposed to violence confused and without a place to seek safety and support.

Although Halabja records the lowest rates of violence compared to other cities, civilians and activists emphasize the need to establish a research and support center dedicated to abused women, in order to ensure the effective handling and reduction of existing cases.

In this context, Shara Abdul Karim, an activist and head of the Sharzor Center affiliated with the Kurdistan Women’s Union, stressed the necessity of establishing a center to protect abused women, affirming that respecting and valuing women who have become victims due to gender inequality is essential.

She added that the presence of a research and support center in Halabja is a highly important step. However, their continuous attempts over the years have not yielded tangible results due to numerous obstacles, noting that official positions remain weak and have not risen to meet the challenges.

She explained that organizations are still making ongoing efforts to establish a research and support center to study cases of violence and provide assistance to affected women. Such a center would offer a dedicated space to monitor various cases and compare them with other locations, facilitating access to appropriate solutions. She pointed out that many meetings have been held regarding this matter, but the project has yet to come to fruition due to recurring obstacles.

Shara Abdul Karim stated that the absence of the center in Halabja does not mean the absence of violence; rather, the rates are lower compared to other regions, but the issue still exists and requires intervention. She affirmed that they will continue their efforts with relevant governmental authorities to pressure for the establishment of the center, noting external pressures as well, and emphasized the importance of conducting in-depth studies on the phenomenon to serve as a basis for future plans, with the necessity for the government to act seriously in the upcoming phase.