UNDP, UN Women support women’s political participation in Iraq
Representatives of UN entities signing the partnership agreement. Photo: UNAMI
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (UN Women) in Iraq signed on Monday a one million USD partnership agreement in Baghdad to support women’s political participation and representation in Iraq, according to a press statement issued by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).
The joint project focuses on addressing the constraints on women’s political voice, strengthening women’s decision-making and leadership in elected spaces and increasing leadership in civic spaces, the statement mentioned.
The partnership aims to strengthen elected female leaders and potential candidates’ ability to influence decisions, demand their rights and actively engage in decision-making at all levels, the statement elaborated.
The agreement will increase the use of special measures, such as quotas, to improve women’s leadership and representation within political parties in Iraq, according to the UNAMI statement.
The partnership will contribute to mitigating obstacles to female participation in public life by addressing violence against women in politics, the statement explained.
“We need bold, intensified, decisive action across Iraq to bring women into the heart of the decision-making spaces in large numbers and as full equal partners,” UN Resident Coordinator, Ghulam Isaczai, said.
“The UN is committed to empower women leaders, support greater representation of women in politics, achieve gender equality and root out gender-based violence,” Isaczai added.
This partnership builds on UNDP and UN Women’s long-standing ongoing efforts related to elections, legislative reform, and women’s leadership, the statement added.