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09 July 2003

Iraqi Women Gather in Baghdad to Discuss Their Future

(Step in Building a Coalition for Women's Groups) (350)
More than 80 Iraqi women were scheduled to meet in Baghdad July 9 to
discuss their place in society and how they can participate in
rebuilding Iraq, the Coalition Provisional Authority reported.
An Iraqi steering committee organized the event, with the facilitative
support of the CPA, according to a CPA press release. Planned
activities included discussions on constitutionalism, legal reform,
education, and health and social services, the press release said.
"While differing views are likely to be expressed, there is one common
aim -- to see Iraqi women play a full role in society," said the press
release.
Following is the text of CPA press release:
(begin text)
"The Voices of Women in Iraq"
Press Release
July 9, 2003 
Coalition Provisional Authority
Over eighty Iraqi women will meet today to discuss their role in the
decision making process about the reconstruction of their country.
Women representing a wide range of professions, areas of expertise,
ethnic and regional groups will attend the first ever national women's
event. They will take part in a series of workshops, dealing with
issues most important to them.
Subjects for discussion include constitution and democracy, legal
reform, education, health and social affairs, employment and the
economy.
The conference is an important first step towards the goal of full
inclusion of Iraqi women in the rebuilding process. It will bring
together many of the women's groups now beginning to work more
actively across the country. While differing views are likely to be
expressed, there is one common aim -- to see Iraqi women play a full
role in society.
The organisation of the event has been led by a steering group of
seven women, elected from a larger group who met with the CPA back in
May. The steering group members are:
Dr Lina Abood
Dr Fawzia Al Atia
Maysoon Al Dhamlhji
Awatef Aswead
Pascale Isho
Narmin Othman
Safia Al Souhail
The participants represent varying professional backgrounds such as
human rights, law, economics, healthcare and business.
The event has been facilitated by the Coalition Provisional Authority.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)