The Iraqi Women’s Leadership Initiative
The International Hard Land Alliance, with support from the Canadian government, implemented the Future Forward Project – Iraqi Women’s Leadership Initiative, with the participation of 5 civil society organizations. The project continued for four years in partnership with four local organizations: the Iraqi Women’s Skilled Foundation – Muthanna, the Iraqi Women’s Leadership Institute – Baghdad, the Manahil Association for Women’s Development – Basra, and the People’s Development Association – Sulaymaniyah and Dohuk .
The project was implemented in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq between April 2018 and March 2022. This ambitious and distinguished project aims to strengthen women’s leadership and secure their economic, political, and social rights, thereby contributing to good governance, peace, and stability in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region .
Donor:
Canadian government
The general objective of this project is to improve the status of Iraqi women so that they become more capable of making decisions in various fields. In this regard, the project aspires to achieve the following partial objectives:
- Iraqi women in decision-making positions are more visible and effective in assuming political and civil leadership positions -Women become
- Iraqi women have better tools and resources to achieve their economic and political rights Owning women
- Increase public support for women’s economic and political rights in various areas of project activity.
Program partners
The program will have three types of partners:
- Government: Agencies represented by Parliament, relevant ministries, and the five provincial councils
- Partners: Organizations in the program in five governorates
- Alliance Networks: Alliance Network 1225 and other networks
- Civil society institutions in general and international institutions in particular
Beneficiaries of the program:
The program targets women of all ages, levels, and backgrounds, whether working in government, parliament, or organizations, or not, by developing the skills and building the confidence necessary to make decisions that will bring about tangible change in society.
Program implementation steps :
- Conducting a field survey in the five governorates in which the project will be implemented
- Holding training workshops to qualify the cadres working with the partner organizations in the program
- Carrying out a set of activities through which women’s leadership role is increased in decisionmaking positions, legislation, and parliament
- Conducting training courses and workshops in the field of capacity building for the partner organization in the program
- Holding meetings and gatherings that contribute to building and developing the program regarding the subject of leadership and amending Iraqi laws, procedures, and policies
- Establishing small income-generating economic projects in the five governorates
- Launching advocacy campaigns to amend some laws and legislation related to the role of women
