The 15th meeting of the Executive Council of the Arab Women in Baghdad
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Story originally published on UN Women Iraq‘s website.
The 15th meeting of the Executive Council of the Arab Women Organization was hosted in Baghdad on February 19/20, 2022.
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Yousra Karim Mohsen, Director General of the Iraqi Women Empowerment Department, and President of the Executive Council of the organization in its current session. The Arab member states of the organization participated physically and virtually through Zoom.
In her opening speech, Dr. Yusra Mohsen, welcomed the honourable attendance and considered that holding the meeting in Baghdad was an important step towards Iraq's resumption of its pioneering role in promoting joint Arab action and comes in line with the orientations of the Iraqi foreign policy. She added that in light of what was approved by the constitution and laws and in line with human rights principles and conventions and charters on women's rights, the Iraqi government's effort was focused on promoting women's rights and empowering them. As a result, the Iraqi government was able to achieve many goals by developing strategies, plans, procedures and coordinating with legislative bodies. These efforts culminated in the participation of women in the October 2021 elections, when Iraqi women won 95 parliamentary seats, which was higher than the quota limit of 83 seats: an increase of 12 seats. Women have proven their ability to win electoral seats without the need to apply a quota, as 57 women won by their voting power.
In her speech, Dr. Fadia Kiwan, Director-General of the Arab Women Organization, saluted all the members of the Executive Council and the delegations participating in the meeting and thanked the Republic of Iraq for hosting. She stressed that the Arab Women Organization carries a noble message towards women through the cooperation with relevant governmental institutions in the Arab countries, as well as through partnerships with civil society institutions and non-governmental organizations. She added that this cooperation aims to enhance awareness and a woman-friendly culture and dismantle the negative stereotypes regarding both gender roles through establishing gender equality in opportunities.
Dina Zorba, UNWomen Representative to Iraq & Yemen, expressed her gratitude to participate in this meeting and thanked the organization for their pioneering programs and projects being adopted in relation to issues of gender equality and the rights of women and girls in the Arab region. She praised the long-term partnership between the Arab Women Organization and UN Women and welcomed Ms. Susan Mikhail, Regional Director of UN Women. She pointed out that the developments that took place in recent years in a number of Arab countries showed the important role women play in achieving development, growth and development in their society. She added that despite of the political, economic and social conditions that Iraq has experienced during the past years, there has been a qualitative and exceptional leap regarding gender as a basis for development. Finally she added that this leap could not be achieved without the continuous support of the Iraqi government and the intensive efforts of the Department of Women Empowerment, the High Council of Women and Development and civil society organizations.