Women in Kurdistan
When more than 30 women were elected to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s parliament last summer, to become the largest bloc of female lawmakers in the Middle East, the votes were proclaimed as an amazing step forward for gender equality in the Middle East.
For those of us in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, that success at the polls was just the latest example of the leadership women have demonstrated through history in Kurdish society, culture and governance. When we fought against the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, it was the women who not only actively assisted our resistance but who also ensured that their homes, villages and heritage survived. Since the Kurdistan Regional Government was first elected into power in 1992, woman have occupied key positions in our government, judiciary, security forces, universities, businesses and have engaged in efforts to preserve our rich culture and heritage. Women continue to be key drivers along Kurdistan’s path to democracy.
We truly believe that the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is the gateway for many wonderful things beyond reconstruction and economic development. As our friendship and alliance with the United States continues to grow, we are eager to showcase to the world, the vital contribution of Kurdish women, in all aspects of life. We are proud that the world recognizes how Kurdish society has been more progressive than others in the region and we strongly remind our American friends that their support and investment in peacetime will help us continue to build a more progressive and equal society.
Women in parliament
The Kurdistan Regional Government promotes political freedom and public determination. Women are needed in the Kurdistan Region’s political process and are encouraged to run for political office. This is reflected in the number of women who are participating in Parliament and the equal opportunities made available them in all sectors of government. For instance, Ms. Asos Najib Abdullah was appointed Minister of Labour and Social Affairs in the sixth KRG cabinet in October 2009, following the July 2009 Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections. Previously, Ms. Abdullah was a judge and a member of the public prosecution in the Court of Suleimaniah. In 1995, she worked in the organizational offices of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), and has participated in the women in leadership conference.
Befrin Hussein Khalifa, at 27, is the youngest woman to serve in the Kurdish Parliament. She describes a vibrant political situation for women in an interview with London’s pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat. She says cooperative efforts between members of Parliament and the regional government in Erbil would open the doors to a competitive democracy. She says that there is a “wide representation” of women in the Kurdish government, describing it as both as a testament to their tenacity and the willingness of the Kurdistan Regional Government to embrace reforms. She says: “We deal with our male parliamentary colleagues as equals, and we do not feel anything separates us from them.”
Battling, and defeating the so called “Honor Killings”
Early in 2007, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani met with the Right Honorable Ann Clwyd, British Prime Minister Blair’s special envoy on human rights, to focus on the KRG’s constant efforts to promote the protection of human rights in Kurdistan and strengthen civil society in general.
The KRG’s is today cracking down on violence against women and children – including expanding efforts to end the so-called “honor killings” and improving our methods to identify and imprison those engaging in the heinous act. This crackdown is in full force. The Kurdistan Region’s judiciary is severely punishing anyone convicted of this barbaric act, and our government is actively engaging our citizens on the need to stamp out this medieval crime from our society. Many public forums have been held on this topic. No resource will be spared in our efforts to provide safe houses and counselors for those fearing oppression form their families.
We understand that only by building the capacity of our civil servants and security service personnel can we ensure that the rule of law is upheld in the most professional manner. We have begun to implement plans that are intended to professionalize our workforce and instill a discipline to the protection of people’s human rights throughout our security services. Our police receive sensitivity training in human rights. We are running specialized courses to make ministry staff, and security services personnel in the region aware of international human rights standards and expectations. Official inspections of prisons have been put in place to ensure that those serving in our correctional facilities are treated humanely. Efforts to expedite cases pending criminal trials are also underway, without endangering the safeguards of suspects.
