RAJA HAMID RASHID

Iraq- Although Iraq has laws and uses a gender quota to guarantee women’s political participation, Iraqi women still face challenges in reaching decision-making positions. Male dominance hierarchies in political parties and the social and cultural barriers that restrict women's participation in public life are some of these challenges.

Women activists in Iraq think that the insecure political atmosphere and the lack of adequate mechanisms to support women's participation prevent gender equality in politics.

Rana Ali Al-Shujairi, a professor at the College of Mass Communication of the University of Baghdad, said that the most significant challenges faced by women in reaching decision-making positions “are social heritage and patriarchal culture. Organizing awareness-raising activities in the country, particularly in rural areas, will contribute to increasing women’s political participation.”

Rana Ali Al-Shujairi also thinks that changing the image of women in educational curricula is essential because educational curricula portray women as housewives and mothers. She recommended the change of this image by reviewing the history of women political activists in the country and all around the world.

She also addressed the issue of gender quota in the country. “Political parties nominate women only for show, leading to the election of women who lack sufficient political knowledge. Women in Iraq need a true sense of belonging to political activities, free from partisan and sectarian divisions.”

‘People have been expecting a radical change’

The people of Iraq have been expecting a radical change for 20 years, said Nagham Al-Tamimi, writer and journalist in Iraq. “This change requires strong popular will and international support. Some laws must be amended in order to increase women’s political participation.”

‘Women must develop a plan’

Hana Hamood Abbas, the director of the Public Aid Office in Baghdad and a women’s rights activist, believes that women who want to participate in politics must clearly set their goal and develop a plan. “Political parties are the main key to reaching decision-making positions. However, some women have participated in politics haphazardly by running for elections without political knowledge. Women must participate in a political party defending their political thoughts and goals.”

Women candidates are guaranteed at least 25% of the seats in the parliament, as per the country's constitution. “Despite the challenges, we, as women, play an important role in politics. Women have a long way to prove themselves in politics. Gender quota is important to increase women’s representation in politics, helping women to hold seats in the parliament and provincial councils.”

‘Women face significant challenges’

Empowering women’s political participation in Iraq faces significant challenges, emphasized Ansam Salman, head of ISEN Organization for Human Rights. “Unfortunately, there are no effective mechanisms in Iraq to support women’s participation in politics and decision-making positions. Political parties usually use women candidates for votes. Political blocs nominate women without taking notice of their abilities or qualifications. Women face significant challenges in reaching decision-making positions.”

Ansam Salman called for support to women who want to participate in politics and more efforts to empower women to run for the parliamentary elections that are scheduled to be held in Iraq in 2025.