LocationsWomen bring power to peacebuilding: UNDP holds a forum for Iraqi women community leaders
December 19, 2021
Photo: Workshop participant. 2021.
The active participation of women in peace processes is essential for sustainable development and leaving no one behind in Iraq. On 10 December, over 50 representatives from the Women for Peace Groups supported by UNDP Iraq participated in a networking and coordination meeting together with the focal points of the Iraqi Women Empowerment Department in their respective governorates. The women discussed how to strengthen communication among the groups and with the Women Empowerment Department and reviewed their past initiatives implemented in 2021. Participants agreed on recommendations to extend their influence within their communities in the areas of peacebuilding and social cohesion, including to hold regular coordination meetings for knowledge sharing and to plan joint initiatives.
UNDP Iraq, with support from the governments of Denmark and Germany, works on capacitating five Women for Peace groups with 100 members total in the governorates of Anbar, Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninewa, and Salah al-Din. These women work within their communities to develop and implement peacebuilding initiatives based on their interests, expertise, and community needs.
Photo: Yasamine (left). 2021.
“I want to advise women to start engaging in volunteer work early in life to build their capacity and make a change in their community. Women need to engage in these activities and contribute actively to society.”
-Yasamine, Anbar Women for Peace Group Member.
Photo: Tabarak. 2021.
“My focus is mainly on the mental health issues that have resulted following conflict with ISIL. I want to implement an initiative related to psychosocial support for women, men, and children. In my community, men are taken more seriously than women. I want to work to help women to trust themselves and have a stronger role in their communities. I am also interested in raising awareness about the dangers of drug use.”
-Tabarak, Diyala Women for Peace Group Member.
Photo: Nardeen (second from right). 2021.
“Women in Ninewa are now living in a closed society following the war with ISIL. They are afraid to leave their homes due to security concerns. I want to focus on social media campaigns that indicate that women need to work, deserve to work, and have a responsibility to contribute to their community.”
-Nardeen, Ninewa Women for Peace Group Member.
Photo: Alaa. 2021.
“I want to work with children to focus on ensuring the next generations of Iraqis is prepared to lead. I want to focus on empowerment and educating them on their rights.”
-Alaa, Salah al-Din Women for Peace Group Member.
Photo: Sausan (standing). 2021.
“I noticed a problem in the courts in Iraq when it comes to divorce. Usually, women have no understanding of the procedures, and I want to establish an office to educate women about their rights and help them to defend themselves in court. I am also interested in starting a TV programme to discuss women’s rights. I am working on a manual to give women legal advice so that those who have faced violence will have the legal knowledge to support themselves. The environment is what creates the leader. I care to build a good environment for women in Iraq to promote leadership.”
-Sausan, Kirkuk Women for Peace Group Member.
Photo: Intisar (second from left). 2021.
“The most important component for women is advocacy and empowerment. Most women do not know about the regulations and rules that preserve their rights, especially the laws related to families and women. We will link our volunteer groups to implement joint initiatives. We will support with getting approvals from the government to help these groups implement their initiatives.”
-Intisar Kareem Abdullah, Legal Consultant and Kirkuk Women Empowerment Department Focal Point.
Photo: Rafia (speaking). 2021.
“We have a center in Ninewa and we can use it to implement initiatives and small projects, and also as a gathering point for the women group to meet and discuss and plan. There is a lot of room for coordination to help the groups achieve their planned goals.”
-Rafia Mohammed, Ninewa Women Empowerment Department Focal Point.
With support from the governments of Denmark and Germany, UNDP Iraq’s Social Cohesion Programme is working to empower women in Iraq through the creation of local peace platforms and women’s forums.