On March 5, the High Council for Women and Development (HCWD) and Accepting Others Organization (AOO) held a meeting to reiterate Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) commitment to create an enabling environment for women and girls to maximize their participation in the upcoming election to be held on June 10, 2024.
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“All Kurdistani political parties called upon the KRG to deploy a mechanism to protect female candidates from violence during the upcoming election,” Khanzad Ahmad, Secretary General of the HCWD posted on X on March 5.
In Erbil: All Kurdistani political parties called upon the KRG to deploy a mechanism to protect female candidates from VAW during the upcoming election. All the parties committed to activating their internal measures to support female candidates. KRG will deliver on this. pic.twitter.com/KHwhqdxr9o
— Dr. Khanzad Ahmad (@DrKhanzad) March 5, 2024
“All the parties remain committed to taking internal steps to support female candidates. The KRG will deliver on this,” she said.
Ahmad told Kurdistan Chronicle that the main objective of the March 5 meeting was to reiterate the KRG’s commitment to creating an environment that enables women and girls to maximize their participation in the upcoming election.
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“Furthermore, the meeting aimed to encourage the Kurdistan political parties harness internal measures to support their woman candidates in actively running their election campaigns free of unnecessary threats or actual violence,” Ahmad said.
“These steps can protect female candidates and encourage more women and girls to freely participate in the election. This is very much aligned with the Women, Peace and Security agenda of the Kurdistan Region.”
Ahmad noted that the HCWD will collaborate closely with the KRG Ministry of Interior to protect women candidates.
This effort involves forming a higher committee comprising representatives from various entities in the Kurdistan Region, including the Judicial Council, Public Prosecutor, Security Council, Independent High Electoral Commission, specialized non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other relevant organizations.
“At the moment we are working on the formation of the committee and, upon its formation, we will introduce it to the political parties and the whole community. Its main task is to be able to quickly follow up on any threat of or actual violence against female candidates during the election campaign,” Admad said.
“For example, the committee will closely monitor the situation on the ground and, in the case of any threat or defamation against any female candidate, will work with the legal entities to take all measures against the perpetrator.”
Tanya Gilly Khailany, Vice-President and Co-Founder of SEED Foundation and a participant in the dialogue, told Kurdistan Chronicle that women’s participation in public office is about more than meeting a quota.
“It's about recognizing, respecting, and advocating for the needs of women across Kurdistan, through their active participation. By investing in women's education, employment, and security, we can create a more prosperous, vibrant, and inclusive society.”
“That's why this dialogue, hosted by HCWD and AOO, was held: to reiterate the importance of women’s participation in real decision making, and the positive long-term effect this can have on encouraging peace in the region.”
“Women must be able to participate in public life without fear of facing violence online or in person. NGOs, governments, and civil society need to work together to ensure that women's participation in government is protected and their safety and security prioritized. When women thrive, we all do,” she concluded.
A stronger Kurdistan means equal, safe and prosperous future for all women and girls. #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/imR0Ml7b0P
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) March 8, 2024
KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also vocalized the government's support for women's rights on International Women's Day, which is held annually on March 8.
“A stronger Kurdistan means an equal, safe, and prosperous future for all women and girls,” he posted on X.
