Iraq urged to push women’s reforms and preserve women’s rights by UN officials

 Earlier this week, UN officials encouraged the Iraqi government to push for political and economic reforms and also to continue discussions regarding the reparations for the Kuwaitis who disappeared during the 1990 Iraqi invasion. Along with such discussions, the country’s human rights scenario, especially the position of Iraqi women, received attention from the UN officials. Other nations in the region were also discouraged from violating the territorial sovereignty of Iraq.

In a Security Council meeting to discuss Iraq, head of UN Assistance Mission for Iraq and the special representative of the secretary-general for Ira1, Jeanine Antoinette Plasschaert, discussed about her conclusions in her UN Report on the implementation of Resolution 2631.

In 2022, the Security Council adopted the Resolution 2631, which states that member states should prioritize providing assistance, support, and advice to the people and government of Iraq to help the inclusive advancement of the nation, enhancement of political dialogue at the community and national level, and the full, meaningful participation of Iraqi women.

Plasschaert reported that while the Iraqi authorities have made considerable progress with reforms, the country is still plagued by political and economic obstacles. She also remarked that destabilizing factors such as wars have remained the same over the last twenty years, because of which the country continues to face challenges. Some of these destabilizing factors have bee factional politics, over-reliance of economy on oil, influence of non-state actors, and inequality.

Position of Iraqi Women

The Security Council also deliberated upon the views put forth by Khanim Latif, the founder and director of Asuda, a women’s rights group in Iraqi Kurdistan. She informed council members that Iraq was plagued with gender-based violence. Moreover, people working towards gender equality are also routinely targeted in Iraq. Violence against women, committed by family members or other members of the society, must be dealt with strictly on a national level. She also sought international cooperation to ensure urgent reforms for Iraqi women.

It is noteworthy that very few women are involved in the decision-making bodies of the country and therefore, women’s rights have been largely ignored in policy making procedures. Latif called upon the international community to include the monitoring and support of women’s rights in Iraq an important part of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq. 

Iraq’s representative stated that the country is dedicated to promote the empowerment of women and human rights in general.