Field Updates

 

Iraq Program Update to Sponsors – March 2007

Thank you for your generous support of Iraqi women survivors of war. We deeply appreciate your dedication to the women of our program. Thanks to sponsors like you, we have already successfully enrolled almost 700 Iraqi participants, and hope to increase participation to 1,500 women by the year’s end! During this particularly difficult time for Iraqis, you are providing these women with a source of hope for the future, which otherwise would be nearly impossible for them. I’m happy to provide you with some highlights of the first few months of our program in Iraq that has been compiled by our staff there.

Due to traditions, customs and financial burden in the rural areas of Hillah and Karbala, this was the first time many of the women received any kind of education. Women in these areas typically work in farming or animal husbandry and do not complete their studies. As part of our Rights Awareness and Leadership Education program, Iraqi participants take courses in five areas: politics, economy, family, health and nutrition. Some topics include Equality in Raising Boys and Girls, The Business Woman in Everyone, and Stress Management. Our manual trainers use a discussion based forum to help the women in our program find common ground and learn from mutual ideas.

 

Our Constitution, Our Future: Enshrining Women's Rights in the Iraqi Consitution June 2005

In an attempt to create a safe forum for women's advocates and members of Iraq's Constitutional Committee to meet in person, share views and craft a set of recommendations on the Constitution for the full Committee, Women for Women International convened a conference in Jordan in late June.

Participants expressed a variety of viewpoints on issues such as how to define gender equality in the Constitution, the relationship between religion and state, the need for quotas to guarantee women's representation in the legislature and the constitutional drafting process.

The major areas of debate highlighted below represent key issues discussed at the conference, which led to a series of final recommendations. The recommendations, summarized below, reflect the views of a majority of participants.

Iraqis Want Women’s Rights Secured in New Constitution June 2005

June 29, 2005, AMMAN, Jordan -Iraqi women want their rights clearly defined in their country's new constitution, according to recommendations released today from a historic conference sponsored by Women for Women International. The two-day conference brought together male and female members of the Iraqi National Assembly, including members of the Constitutional Committee, Iraqi civil society leaders and women's rights advocates.

"Windows of Opportunity: Pursuing Gender Equity in Post-war Iraq," Women for Women International Briefing Paper January 2005.

Iraq ’s post-war reconstruction period occupies a brief moment in time, but holds long-lasting implications for women. During this window of opportunity, decisions are underway which will determine women’s permanent roles in governance, their rights under civil law and their future status in Iraqi society. The outlook for women, and society as a whole, is diminished when individual women, and their representative NGOs, are excluded from decision-making processes.

First Post-War Survey of Iraqi Women Shows Women Want Legal Rights; Dispels Notions That Women Believe Tradition, Culture Should Limit Their Participation in Government January 7, 2005

Washington , DC – The first survey of Iraqi women since the outbreak of the war was released today by Women for Women International, one of the few non-governmental organizations remaining in Baghdad. The groundbreaking survey paints a vivid and even surprising portrait of Iraqi women in transition and dispels the prevailing notion that women believe tradition, customs or religion should limit their participation in the formation of a new Iraqi government.

Women Develop Next Steps for Full Participation in Iraq December 10, 2003

Amman, Jordan (Iraqi women political and civilian leaders will convene in Amman, Jordan, to develop concrete steps to guarantee women’s roles in that country’s political and economic rebirth. Women Waging Peace and Women for Women International are sponsoring the conference.

Please Tell Mr. Bush, Iraq May 9 – May 20, 2003

"There is a high level of chaos, anarchy, frustration, and even anger in today’s Iraq. This is triggered by the lack of electricity, water, food, medicine, and most importantly security. Not only is the looting continuing, but so is the killing. Children as young as ten have real guns and Kalashnikovs, which they point at anybody at any time. A driver is vulnerable at any moment to a gunman forcing him or her out of the car. People are witnessing killings in public streets and in the middle of the day. Women are afraid to leave their houses for fear of rape and kidnapping. Mothers are afraid to let their kids walk to school on their own . . ."