UN in Iraq sees greater role for women in political process
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq hopes more women will hold ministerial and high-level posts in the new government.
“I hope that a substantial number of incoming female Members of Parliament will be appointed to key roles in parliamentary committees and to seats on the Council of Ministers,” stated Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General Alice Walpole on Wednesday.
She launched the #WhyNot (#Shakobeha) campaign at an event in Babil province on Tuesday.
Iraq has a 25-percent quota system for women running in elections, but this figure is not represented in high-level posts among ministers, the judiciary, and other institutions.
“Now that the elections are over, the #WhyNot campaign will continue…...there remains a great deal to do to ensure that Iraq benefits fully from the skills, experience and knowledge that women can bring to political life,” added Walpole.
Iraq held a parliamentary election on May 12. Results of the election are disputed and have not been finalized.
On June 14, the Iraqi government agreed with UNAMI that women should be involved at all levels of society, in accordance with the organization's mandate.
“It also instructs UNAMI to promote women’s equal access to executive roles in key areas such as national reconciliation, security sector reform, elections and socio-economic development,” added Warpole.
“I hope that a substantial number of incoming female Members of Parliament will be appointed to key roles in parliamentary committees and to seats on the Council of Ministers,” stated Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General Alice Walpole on Wednesday.
She launched the #WhyNot (#Shakobeha) campaign at an event in Babil province on Tuesday.
Iraq has a 25-percent quota system for women running in elections, but this figure is not represented in high-level posts among ministers, the judiciary, and other institutions.
“Now that the elections are over, the #WhyNot campaign will continue…...there remains a great deal to do to ensure that Iraq benefits fully from the skills, experience and knowledge that women can bring to political life,” added Walpole.
Iraq held a parliamentary election on May 12. Results of the election are disputed and have not been finalized.
In the run-up to the election, women candidates were targeted by smear campaigns across the country. Some rejected the idea that they were running just to fill the parties' quota requirement.
On June 14, the Iraqi government agreed with UNAMI that women should be involved at all levels of society, in accordance with the organization's mandate.
“It also instructs UNAMI to promote women’s equal access to executive roles in key areas such as national reconciliation, security sector reform, elections and socio-economic development,” added Warpole.