Kurdistan
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani. Photo: Office of President Barzani. Graphic: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Friday reiterated his “complete support” for women’s struggle to obtain their rights, in a statement marking International Women’s Day.
“A society that is free, civilized, peaceful, and prosperous, and that nurtures a capable and righteous generation, cannot be achieved without the principles of women’s rights, freedom, and equality,” Barzani said in the statement.
The Kurdistan Region President noted in the statement that he looks forward to more involvement of women in the different sectors of life in the Region. He also called on the Kurdistan Region’s political parties to pay attention to fielding more women as candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections, set to be held in June.
“We encourage political parties to strengthen their commitment to supporting the nomination of women in the upcoming elections,” he said.
Both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region reserve quotas for female representatives in the parliament. In Iraq, women should make up at least 25 percent of the parliament, but in the Kurdistan Region, at least 30 percent of the parliament is reserved for women quota seats according to the Region’s election law.
Masoud Barzani, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), commended the role of Kurdish women on the occasion.
Wishing the women of Kurdistan, Iraq and the rest of the world a joyful International Women’s Day. I reiterate my staunch support for the rights of Kurdish women and I highly hold in esteem their role in the struggle and liberation of our people.
— Masoud Barzani (@masoud_barzani) March 8, 2024
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also marked the occasion with a statement, reaffirming the government’s “commitment to protect the rights of Kurdish women, improve their living conditions, strengthen their position in the spheres of power and governance, and strengthen the principles of gender equality.”
While encouraging greater participation of women in the various aspects of life in the Region, President Barzani also remembered the women who have lost their lives to violence.
The Kurdistan Region suffers from high rates of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, domestic violence, so-called honor violence, child marriages, and female genital mutilation.
“On this significant occasion, let us honor the courageous women who have bravely fought to safeguard and defend their rights, as well as those who have been subjected to violence, extremism, and regressive ideologies,” President Barzani said, reaffirming opposition to “any form of oppression, violence, harassment, or injustice against women.”
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