The German ambassador meets female media and activists to discuss the reality of women in Iraq and the challenges they face

Baghdad:iwjf

On Wednesday 16 October, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Baghdad, Ole Dale, met in his official office a limited group of activists, including the Head of the Iraqi Women Journalists Forum, Dr. Nibras Al Mamory, and a member of her voice network, Dr. Bushra Zwaini, to talk about the challenges faced by women in Iraq.

Ambassador Dell asked a number of questions concerning the size of political participation, the Legal environment, the positive change in the rights of women after 2003 and the future vision of the Iraqi women file in light of the democratic transformation.

Dr. Bushra Zwaini talked about the participation rate of women in decision-making positions and the decline witnessed in that ratio, citing the three authorities and independent bodies in addition to strategies and plans written to reduce violence against women and did not find real implementation on the ground.

Dr. Nibras Al-Mamory explained her vision on the image of women in the media and the challenges they face, in addition to the role of women journalists in covering recent demonstrations despite the interruption of the internet and the dangerous security environment. She pointed to the importance of using the UPR report prepared by the Journalists Forum in cooperation with “Sawtuha” network and presented to the Universal Periodic Review Committee in Geneva on the situation of women journalists and women human rights defenders in Iraq, in addition to studies that have been prepared regarding elections and women in conflict areas and UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

The meeting ended with the identification of priorities for work on women’s representation in the government cabinet to be announced soon, the importance of developing the capabilities of women journalists and journalists on gender and the image of women in the media, in addition to the importance of organizing meetings with some executive bodies for the purpose of overcoming the difficulties faced by women according to available possibilities.

The meeting was attended by former Bar Association President Ahlam Lami and two representatives of UNAMI Iraq Advisory Group, dr.Najla Mohammadawi and dr.Bushra Obeidi.