Iraq
Iraq
Women are crucial allies to the efforts to eliminate extremism in Iraq. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has contributed to a political landscape in Iraq historically characterized by sectarianism, ineffective judicial systems, high levels of government corruption, and high rates of violence against women, including sexual and gender-based violence. ISIL continues to use sexual and gender-based violence and rape as weapons of war— and targets women, particularly Yazidi women and other non-Shiite minorities, for sexual slavery among fighters.
Iraq acceded to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1986, launched the National Strategy on Combating Violence against Women in 2013, and launched its National Action Plan pursuant to Resolution 1325 in 2014. Iraq’s National Action Plan was the first launched in the Middle East. The Ministry of Women’s Affairs in Iraq has also developed a National Strategy for the Advancement of Iraqi Women, but due to the political climate it hasn’t been effectively implemented; similarly, laws banning forced and early marriages are rarely enforced.
Based on the work of NGOWG members and their partners, the NGOWG advocates for the Government of Iraq to clarify their shelter policies, in order to allow and support Iraqi NGOs in their efforts to operate shelters and provide much needed services to survivors of SGBV. Further, the NGOWG urges the Security Council to ensure that the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) is regularly engaging with women’s organizations, and will continue to take concrete steps to support women’s participation in all peace and security processes.
Current and Past Recommendations to the UN Security Council (Monthly Action Points)
Iraq (July 2012)
In its consideration of the expected report and discussion of the expected mandate renewal of the United Nations mission in Iraq (UNAMI), the Security Council should ensure women’s rights are central to addressing increasing concerns regarding the current security situation. The report should include significant information, analysis, and recommendations on challenges facing women in electoral processes, both as candidates and voters; progress made in ensuring participation of Iraqi women in national reconciliation efforts; and progress made to enhance Iraqi women’s access to justice. The Council should ensure the mandate reflects support for:
- Women’s substantive engagement in all political solutions and decision-making regarding security and security policy;
- Legal reforms that reflect the rights of women, and that are designed to ensure women’s access to justice, including provision of legal assistance;
- Provisions for programs to protect women and girls from violence against women, including sexual violence;
- Women’s access to physical and mental health services;
- Women’s access to employment and economic opportunities; and
- Appropriate training for all security sector actors, including police, on responses to violence against women.
In its consideration of the expected report and discussion of the expected mandate renewal of the United Nations mission in Iraq (UNAMI), the Security Council should ensure women’s rights are central to addressing increasing concerns regarding the current security situation. The report should include significant information, analysis, and recommendations on challenges facing women in electoral processes, both as candidates and voters; progress made in ensuring participation of Iraqi women in national reconciliation efforts; and progress made to enhance Iraqi women’s access to justice. The Council should ensure the mandate reflects support for:
- Women’s substantive engagement in all political solutions and decision-making regarding security and security policy;
- Legal reforms that reflect the rights of women, and that are designed to ensure women’s access to justice, including provision of legal assistance;
- Provisions for programs to protect women and girls from violence against women, including sexual violence;
- Women’s access to physical and mental health services;
- Women’s access to employment and economic opportunities; and
- Appropriate training for all security sector actors, including police, on responses to violence against women.
Relevant Resources
