The Women’s Affairs Unit

Establishment of the Women’s Affairs Department and Empowerment Units

The Women’s Affairs Department was established within the Ministry of Global Education in accordance with Ministerial Order No. (14) dated 5/1/2021, to monitor the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (1325). Additionally, Women’s Empowerment Units were created in all universities and affiliated institutions under the Ministry according to Ministerial Order No. 479 dated 6/7/2021.

UN Security Council Resolution (1325) is based on four fundamental pillars that aim to reduce violations against women, namely: prevention, protection, participation, and peacebuilding and recovery. The resolution also seeks to enhance women’s representation at all levels of decision-making within national, regional, and international institutions and stresses the necessity of taking special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence during conflicts, including various forms of female infanticide.

Significant dates in this field include International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8th. The origins of International Women’s Day date back to 1856, when thousands of women in New York protested against inhumane working conditions. This protest, which was later repeated, laid the groundwork for advancing women’s rights and designated March 8th as an annual occasion to celebrate women’s achievements and express appreciation and respect for them.

Another important initiative is the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign, an international campaign aimed at combating violence against women and girls. It runs annually from November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 10th, Human Rights Day.

In Iraq, the International Girls in ICT Day was established by the International Telecommunication Union and is celebrated on April 28th each year in over 150 countries. This day recognizes the role of girls and women, encouraging them to pursue education and careers in technology through training in coding systems and mobile application development.

Objectives of the Women’s Affairs Unit

The primary goal of the Women’s Affairs Unit is to empower women in their struggle for equality, rather than merely reforming their status. It advocates for challenging traditional gender roles and aims to increase the representation of women leaders within the Ministry of Higher Education by highlighting female competencies and achievements. The specific objectives include:

• Developing the scientific capacities of women in higher education by facilitating and supporting their participation in local and international conferences.
• Enhancing women’s participation in economic development by supporting entrepreneurial projects and technology incubators.
• Securing support from the international community and local and global organizations to contribute to the implementation of UN resolutions concerning women.
• Raising societal awareness regarding women’s status, rights, and combating violence through workshops, training, and research in collaboration with specialized centers.
• Improving the portrayal of women in all forms of media—visual, auditory, and print.
• Honoring outstanding Iraqi women in their respective fields through creative awards or documentary films highlighting their achievements.
• Supporting young female researchers who produce notable early-stage doctoral research through specialized committees that select outstanding works for further support.
• Integrating the concept of gender into the Ministry’s plans and programs, fostering women’s inclusion within the natural family framework.

Vision

Empowering women to be key actors in achieving sustainable development within a nation that guarantees all constitutional rights, equips them to face challenges effectively, and strengthens their roles across all sectors while ensuring complete protection and equitable access to economic, social, and political opportunities to enhance their capabilities for the advancement of the nation.

Mission

To equip women with skills and knowledge, develop their capacities, and cultivate them as competent societal actors and leaders who actively participate in decision-making, influencing its formulation and strategic implementation to meet the country’s current and future needs.

Strategy

The Ministry and universities reaffirm their commitment to women’s rights and their implementation in accordance with national charters, including the Constitution, as well as international treaties, agreements, and declarations to which Iraq is a party. The strategy is structured around the following axes:

1. Leadership Empowerment: Enhancing women’s leadership roles by encouraging participation in leadership positions within the Ministry, universities, and beyond, preparing them for success, and eliminating discrimination.
2. Protection: Safeguarding women from negative phenomena that threaten their lives, safety, dignity, and effective participation, including gender-based violence and environmental risks affecting them socially or economically.
3. Social Empowerment: Providing opportunities for greater social participation, expanding women’s choices, and preventing practices that reinforce discrimination or cause harm, in both public and private spheres.
4. International Collaboration: Securing support from the international community and local and global organizations to implement UN resolutions concerning women.
5. Awareness and Advocacy: Raising societal awareness about women’s status, rights, and combating violence through workshops, research, and collaboration with specialized centers.
6. Economic Empowerment: Enhancing women’s capacities to expand employment options, increase labor force participation, ensure equal opportunities in public and private sectors, promote entrepreneurship, and facilitate access to leadership positions.