Kurdistan
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani speaking during the Erbil Forum 2023 on March 1, 2023. Photo: Office of the President
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday affirmed complete support to women in all fields and said that the Region will continue to advocate for women’s rights, in a statement marking International Women’s Day.
“No society is free and progressive without women’s freedom. We will work to give broader space to women’s participation in political life, administration and all other areas in the Kurdistan Region,” Barzani stated.
Both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region reserve a quota system for female presence in the parliament. In Iraq, women should make up at least 25 percent of the parliament, and in the Kurdistan Region at least 30 percent of the parliament is reserved for women quota seats.
“The Kurdistan Region needs new policies and strategies with the collective participation of all layers of our society,” Barzani added, calling “education, promotion of academic research and scientific work, awareness and comprehensive dialogue” as the means to ensure that this “objective” is met.
Last week, the Kurdistan Region’s parliament speaker Rewaz Fayaq criticized the women’s quota system in the parliament, explaining that it has become a barrier to achieving societal development.
“Society’s development happens when women reach parliament without the ‘women’s quota’ law,” she said during a forum in Erbil, with the system being criticized for ensuring that women have to resort to a quota seat as opposed to running for office based on their skills.
Masoud Barzani, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), commended the role of Kurdish women on the occasion.
Happy International Women's Day to the women of Kurdistan, Iraq and the rest of the world. It is fitting to note the role of Kurdish women throughout our struggle, their hard work and sacrifices shall eternally remain in our memory.
— Masoud Barzani (@masoud_barzani) March 8, 2023
While encouraging greater participation of women in the Region, President Barzani remembered the women that have lost their lives to violence.
The Kurdistan Region suffers from high rates of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, domestic violence, so-called honor violence, child marriages, and female genital mutilation.
“Tribute to the souls of all the women who gave their lives for equality and women’s rights and all those who became victims of violence against women,” the president stated.
During his speech, Barzani reiterated that the Region will continue fighting for women’s rights and ensure that they have a fair, legitimate access to all kinds of services.
“As we have already supported women with regards to legal reform, social policies, financial independence and education, we will continue on this path and support their struggle to ensure their complete rights.”
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