17 November 2003
Iraqi Women Discuss Importance of Their Role During Reconstruction
Delegation in U.S. also emphasizes need for security in Iraq
By Darlisa Crawford
Washington File Staff Writer
Seventeen senior women leaders from Iraq, participating in a conference at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington November 13, argued that it is critically important to include women in the building of a new, democratic Iraq.
Ambassador Swanee Hunt, founder of Women Waging Peace, introduced the group, which included Songul Chapouk and Raja Habib Khuzai, members of the Iraqi Governing Council, as well as Nessreen Haydir Qader and Siham Hattab Hamdan, who sit on the Baghdad City Advisory Council.
Joined by policymakers from other countries, the Iraqi women leaders engaged in training seminars and workshops that explored the role of women in formal governing structures, civil society and the private sector, constitutional law reform, security sector reform, and project evaluation. Humanitarian assistance, transitional justice, and the role of religion in society were also discussed.
Experts from the U.S. Departments of State and Defense, the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and nongovernmental organizations hosted roundtable discussions about the various aspects of the reconstruction efforts in Iraq.
The future prospects of Iraqi women and key issues in the transition to self-government dominated the dialogue, Iraqi women calling for more female representation in the reconstruction process, since women constitute 55 percent of the Iraqi population. Although Iraqi women "could contribute greatly to the reconstruction effort, they are currently underrepresented at all levels, " Khuzai said.
The women intend to submit a list of demands to the Iraqi Governing Council that includes safety in the streets, a minimum of 10 women members on the Iraqi Governing Council, female representation at all levels of the reconstruction process, and accountability by the Governing Council. Kader, a member of the Baghdad City Advisory Council, said, "We have to give more trust to the Governing Council, especially in the matter of security. I cannot imagine a future for women in Iraq without security. We have to prioritize women and security."
Khuzai, founder of the Women's Health Center in Baghdad and a member of the Iraqi Governing Council, also emphasized security. Her primary concern is that the security situation makes it difficult for women to take advantage of health care services. "Let us enter into a partnership and dialogue on securing and civilizing Iraq to make it safer for troops and Iraqis from criminal and terrorist enemies," she said. "Let's create a framework of responsibility and accountability of the government to the Iraqi Governing Council."
Khuzai also said that democratic types of government require time and thought. "The democratic debate and a constitution that involves the Iraqi nation take time to grow," she said. "Even a baby takes nine months in its mother's womb. We are your partners in this historic time. We are your allies not your enemies."
Senior members of the delegation met with President Bush on November 17 at the White House to discuss the political participation of women in Iraq's reconstruction process.
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, The World Bank, American Bar Association-Central Europe and Eurasian Law Initiative, and Women Waging Peace sponsored a ten-day seminar in the United States for the female Iraqi contingency of political leaders, doctors and lawyers.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
This page printed from: http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2003&m=November&x=20031117163350yddrofwarc0.9083063&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
