Iraqi Women
Talking Peace

Online Conference
11 - 12 December 2020

 

 

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of UNSCR 1325, elbarlament facilitated a high level hybrid conference on 11 and 12 December 2020. 

The conference aimed to bring together government officials, experts, women’s organisations, researchers, activists, religious and tribal leaders and civil society representatives of Iraq and from across the region to reflect on the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Throughout the conference, speakers from Iraq and the MENA region shared their visions for a peaceful society and exchanged experiences and lessons learned with regard to implementing UNSCR 1325. The conference aimed at showcasing women’s positive role in overcoming cultural and social divisions.

Highlights of Our
UNSCR1325 Online Conference

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Description

EN

AR

Panel 1: Challenges, Obstacles and Opportunities for Implementing UNSCR 1325 in Iraq

Three panelists from Iraqi civil society and state institutions debated in this discussion round about what has been reached in terms of UNSCR 1325 in Iraq over the past 20 years and which opportunities exist for the Iraqi society. The discussion revolved around the challenges to the implementation of plans and strategies linked to women’s needs and rights and their inclusion in peacebuilding processes in Iraq, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on society and on women in particular and how an inclusive, gender sensitive response to this crisis in Iraqi national programs can be assured. In a vivid discussion, the panelists presented their work projects with relation to women, peacebuilding and security and how they incorporated the National Action Plan into their work.

 

Panelists:

 

  • Suzan Aref, Founder and Director of Women Empowerment Organization, Iraq
  • Jamal Al-Jawahiri, Executive Director of Iraqi Al-Amal Association, Iraq
  • Dr. Youssra Al-Alaq, Head of Women Empowerment Department of the Council of Ministers, Iraq

Panel 2: Peace and Participation - Views from across MENA

In this panel, five women engaged in civil society and state level projects to peacebuilding and women empowerment discussed their experiences regarding the women, peace and security agenda from their respective countries. Questions were tackled on how women in the different countries contribute to peacebuilding, which activities are taking place especially on a local (community) as well as on the national level and what women’s demands for peace are. The panelists discussed what is needed for a meaningful participation of women to peacebuilding processes and expressed their visions for peace and priorities for peacebuilding. Overall, the women talked about opportunities for cooperation and exchange of information with regard to UNSCR 1325 on a regional level.  

 

Panelists:

 

  • Dr. Maria Al-Abdeh, Executive Director of Women Now for Development, Syria
  • Dr. Salma Al-Nims, Secretary-General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women’s Affairs, Jordan
  • Sawazan Zakzak, Writer and Women’s Rights Activist, Syria
  • Fairuz Ahmed Al-Jaradi, Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Yemen 
  • Mozn Hassan, Founder and Executive Director of Nazra for Feminist Studies, Egypt

Panel 3: The Role of Women in Peacebuilding in Iraq

This panel with two Iraqi experts on women, peace and security from the parliament and civil society discussed the main obstacles to the inclusion of women in peacebuilding processes in Iraq. The panel focused on how peacebuilding efforts can be more inclusive for women from different sects, minorities, geographical areas and women stemming from different socio-economic backgrounds as well as IDPs.

The panelists debated also on how to improve the situation of women with regard to the legal framework, especially violence against women and the domestic violence law and discussed limitations and opportunities of the Iraqi National Action Plan with regard to UNSCR 1325 and its implementation in rural areas. 

Panelists:

  • Entisar Al Jburri, Member of Parliament and Vice President of Woman Child and Family Committee of the Iraqi Parliament 
  • Dr. Ilham Makki, Gender Advisor and Researcher, Al-Amal Association, Iraq

Panel 4: Promotion of Women's Rights by Religious Leaders

This panel dealt with the role of tribal and religious leaders in promoting or impeding women’s participation in peacebuilding processes and how they can play a stronger role in promoting women’s inclusion in Iraq. Five panelists involved in religious affairs and/or peacebuilding and female empowerment debated on how  religious leaders can contribute to overcome socio-cultural obstacles that women face to peacebuilding, their participation in social life and politics and how religious institutions can psychologically better support women (ie. IDPs, victims of violence). Questions were tackled if clerics have influence on the drafting of certain laws as well as questions on their role in steering communication with conservative groups towards the importance of women’s rights.

Panelists:

  • Amal Jalal Muhamad, The President of the General Board of Tourism in KRI
  • Father Raed Adel, Syriac Catholic Church in Mosul
  • Kareem Suliman, Supreme Advisor to the Yezidis’ Spiritual Leader in Iraq
  • Dr. Maghdid Kareem Taha, Professor of Islamic Sciences at Salahaddin University
  • Pascale Esho Warda, former Minister of Migration and Displacement & President of Hammurabi Human Rights Organization
  • Sayyed Salih Al-Hakeem, Head of Hikma Center for Dialogue and Cooperation

Panel 5: Young Women Making Peace

This panel with five young politically active women from different cities in Iraq revolved around their visions and hopes for a peaceful future in Iraq – What would need to happen for things to improve? The panelists discussed how they imagine a meaningful political participation by all Iraqi citizens and how this could be realized. Also, questions on how to overcome obstacles for women to get more involved in political participation and peace building processes and how women could contribute to the peacebuilding process were discussed. 

The vivid discussion was introduced by the panelists talking about their own experiences and views regarding  the perception of women’s roles in society and politics, and how it has changed during public protests in Iraq since 2019. The panelists also debated about a new culture of dealing with each other and opportunities to mainstream this new culture and anchor it within society.

Panelists:

  • Enas Kareem, Baghdad
  • Diana Faraj, Baghdad
  • Helen Abdulwahed, Basra
  • Lodia Remon Albert, Basra
  • Rouaa Alamin, Nasiriya

Panel 1: Challenges, Obstacles and Opportunities for Implementing UNSCR 1325 in Iraq

Three panelists from Iraqi civil society and state institutions debated in this discussion round about what has been reached in terms of UNSCR 1325 in Iraq over the past 20 years and which opportunities exist for the Iraqi society. The discussion revolved around the challenges to the implementation of plans and strategies linked to women’s needs and rights and their inclusion in peacebuilding processes in Iraq, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on society and on women in particular and how an inclusive, gender sensitive response to this crisis in Iraqi national programs can be assured. In a vivid discussion, the panelists presented their work projects with relation to women, peacebuilding and security and how they incorporated the National Action Plan into their work.

 

Panelists:

 

  • Suzan Aref, Founder and Director of Women Empowerment Organization, Iraq
  • Jamal Al-Jawahiri, Executive Director of Iraqi Al-Amal Association, Iraq
  • Dr. Youssra Al-Alaq, Head of Women Empowerment Department of the Council of Ministers, Iraq

Panel 2: Peace and Participation - Views from across MENA

In this panel, five women engaged in civil society and state level projects to peacebuilding and women empowerment discussed their experiences regarding the women, peace and security agenda from their respective countries. Questions were tackled on how women in the different countries contribute to peacebuilding, which activities are taking place especially on a local (community) as well as on the national level and what women’s demands for peace are. The panelists discussed what is needed for a meaningful participation of women to peacebuilding processes and expressed their visions for peace and priorities for peacebuilding. Overall, the women talked about opportunities for cooperation and exchange of information with regard to UNSCR 1325 on a regional level.  

 

Panelists:

 

  • Dr. Maria Al-Abdeh, Executive Director of Women Now for Development, Syria
  • Dr. Salma Al-Nims, Secretary-General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women’s Affairs, Jordan
  • Sawazan Zakzak, Writer and Women’s Rights Activist, Syria
  • Fairuz Ahmed Al-Jaradi, Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Yemen 
  • Mozn Hassan, Founder and Executive Director of Nazra for Feminist Studies, Egypt

Panel 3: The Role of Women in Peacebuilding in Iraq

This panel with two Iraqi experts on women, peace and security from the parliament and civil society discussed the main obstacles to the inclusion of women in peacebuilding processes in Iraq. The panel focused on how peacebuilding efforts can be more inclusive for women from different sects, minorities, geographical areas and women stemming from different socio-economic backgrounds as well as IDPs.

The panelists debated also on how to improve the situation of women with regard to the legal framework, especially violence against women and the domestic violence law and discussed limitations and opportunities of the Iraqi National Action Plan with regard to UNSCR 1325 and its implementation in rural areas. 

Panelists:

  • Entisar Al Jburri, Member of Parliament and Vice President of Woman Child and Family Committee of the Iraqi Parliament 
  • Dr. Ilham Makki, Gender Advisor and Researcher, Al-Amal Association, Iraq

Panel 4: Promotion of Women's Rights by Religious Leaders

This panel dealt with the role of tribal and religious leaders in promoting or impeding women’s participation in peacebuilding processes and how they can play a stronger role in promoting women’s inclusion in Iraq. Five panelists involved in religious affairs and/or peacebuilding and female empowerment debated on how  religious leaders can contribute to overcome socio-cultural obstacles that women face to peacebuilding, their participation in social life and politics and how religious institutions can psychologically better support women (ie. IDPs, victims of violence). Questions were tackled if clerics have influence on the drafting of certain laws as well as questions on their role in steering communication with conservative groups towards the importance of women’s rights.

Panelists:

  • Amal Jalal Muhamad, The President of the General Board of Tourism in KRI
  • Father Raed Adel, Syriac Catholic Church in Mosul
  • Kareem Suliman, Supreme Advisor to the Yezidis’ Spiritual Leader in Iraq
  • Dr. Maghdid Kareem Taha, Professor of Islamic Sciences at Salahaddin University
  • Pascale Esho Warda, former Minister of Migration and Displacement & President of Hammurabi Human Rights Organization
  • Sayyed Salih Al-Hakeem, Head of Hikma Center for Dialogue and Cooperation

Panel 5: Young Women Making Peace

This panel with five young politically active women from different cities in Iraq revolved around their visions and hopes for a peaceful future in Iraq – What would need to happen for things to improve? The panelists discussed how they imagine a meaningful political participation by all Iraqi citizens and how this could be realized. Also, questions on how to overcome obstacles for women to get more involved in political participation and peace building processes and how women could contribute to the peacebuilding process were discussed. 

The vivid discussion was introduced by the panelists talking about their own experiences and views regarding  the perception of women’s roles in society and politics, and how it has changed during public protests in Iraq since 2019. The panelists also debated about a new culture of dealing with each other and opportunities to mainstream this new culture and anchor it within society.

Panelists:

  • Enas Kareem, Baghdad
  • Diana Faraj, Baghdad
  • Helen Abdulwahed, Basra
  • Lodia Remon Albert, Basra
  • Rouaa Alamin, Nasiriya