RAJA HAMID RASHID

Baghdad- Although women hold 97 seats in Iraq’ 329-member parliament, their participation in decision-making positions in political parties are underrepresented. Women are prevented from participating in decision-making positions and politics.

In an interview with NuJINHA, Rezan Sheikh Dler, lawyer and former Iraqi Member of Parliament, talked about her experiences in Iraqi’ House of Representatives and challenges faced by women in politics.

‘The House of Representatives is dominated by men’

Rezan Shekh Dler served as a member of the Iraq parliament's Women and Children Affairs Committee for two periods. The committee aims to protect and promote the rights of women to increase their participation in decision-making positions. “While I was serving as a member of the committee, we tried to realize some projects such as the bill against domestic violence; however, the bill was not approved by the parliament. We made great efforts for the amendment of laws against women such as Article 57 of the Iraqi Law of Personal Status, which regulates matters of marriage, divorce, custody of children, and inheritance. Unfortunately, we could not put sufficient pressure on the parliament to pass a significant law that would serve society and Iraqi women. We could only put pressure on the parliament to amend some paragraphs and Article 40 of Iraqi Labor Law in 2015,” Rezan Shekh Dler told NuJINHA.

In 2021, women won 97 seats in Iraq's 329-member parliament. “However, the efforts of the parliament to combat violence against women, marginalization and inequality are insufficient. Women are underrepresented in the parliament. Despite the efforts of some women, women parliamentarians have no say at the House of Representatives because the House of Representatives is dominated by men. Women face many challenges.”

‘We need a women’s ministry’

Rezan Shekh Dler believes that Iraq needs to pass important laws to promote women’s participation in all facets of life, especially in politics and decision-making positions. “The Iraq’s Penal Code and other laws must be amended. The government had a nation plan aiming at implementing the UN Resolution 1325 by 2018. The current government makes no effort to implement this plan. We need an independent women's commission or a women's ministry.”

‘ILO Convention No.190 is important for women’

Speaking about the recent decision of the Iraq Council of Ministers for the ratification of ILO Convention No. 190, preventing violence and harassment in the workplace, Rezan Shekh Dler said, “This convention has been ratified by many countries and it is an important convention for women. The Iraqi Council of Ministers made a decision to ratify the convention; however, there is no official step for the implementation of the convention.

“During a workshop, I said that Iraq needed a law protecting women from violence and the Council of Ministers should make efforts to combat violence and harassment against women in the workplace and all facets of life. However, a criminal complaint was filed against me because of what I had said.”

‘Women’s participation in decision-making positions should be supported’

Calling on political parties and NGOs in Iraq to “support women’s participation in decision-making positions and politics. If they do not believe in women’s struggle, they will continue to remain weak and marginal.”