The statement of Sawtuha network for women human rights defenders On the occasion of the International Day To oppose the violence against women

Sawtuha network for Women Human Rights Defenders is participating in the celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the 16 Days of Anti-Violence against Women Campaign launched by the United Nations from 25 November to 10 December The campaign aims to raise awareness and create a supportive public opinion everywhere to bring about change, oppose all forms of violence against women and girls, highlight this problem and call on the local and international community to seek radical solutions.

The anniversary of the International Day against Violence and Iraqi Women lives in an environment that suffers from high rates of domestic violence, gender-based discrimination at the level of decision-making and all state institutions, in addition to the continued deterioration of the security situation faced by women human rights defenders and weak law enforcement. .. All this is accompanied by the start of demonstrations and people protests in the first of last October in the capital Baghdad and most cities in the center and south and demand an end to the system of quotas and corruption and rebuild the state of institutions and citizenship.

Government authorities deal with the demonstrators reflect the magnitude of irresponsibility, and underestimate the demands of people by using direct violence and live bullets and tear gas intensively and the use of excessive violence of killing and kidnapping and threats of many demonstrators, most notably the killing of a medic in Tahrir Square and killing Activists in Basra,  where these demonstrations witnessed a wide and distinctive participation of Iraqi women reflected their courage and their commitment to continue the struggle to achieve justice and a decent life, and the violence that happened confirms to the whole world the scale of violations of the human rights file in general, and women in particular in Iraq.

Despite the efforts of civil society organizations to reduce abuses, violence and discrimination and raise the level of community awareness towards women’s issues and to emphasize treaties and conventions ratified by Iraq; There is no legislation that protects women and the family from violence, and Iraqi laws contain serious provisions such as Article 398 of the Iraqi Penal Code No. 111 on the marriage of the rapist to drop the punishment for the rapist, Article 41 on disciplining the wife gives the husband the right to beat his wife under the pretext of discipline, Which is a violation of Article 29 of the Constitution.

Sawtuha network invites the three authorities each according to its competence to:

– Reducing violence against demonstrators, exposing those who have killed, kidnapping, threatening, and responding effectively to the legitimate demands of demonstrators to ensure a dignified and safe life in the country of citizenship.

– Legislation to protect against domestic violence and to put in place effective mechanisms for implementation and protection.
– Expand women’s participation in decision-making positions, including their contribution to negotiations for conflict resolution, peace-building, security and comprehensive reform of the political process.
– Complete the preparation of the national plan for UN Security Council Resolution 1325 with the participation of civil society and the allocation of financial and human resources necessary for its implementation.
– Work hard to develop the national strategy to combat violence and implement its contents
– Abolish all legal articles that devotes violence against women.

– Restoration of the Ministry of Women with a ministerial portfolio and executive powers enabling it to advance the status of women.
– Establish safe havens for victims and survivors of violence to ensure their protection and safety, and implement training programs to rehabilitate, empower and reintegrate them into society.
– Raising community awareness of women’s rights and the importance of their participation and empowerment politically, economically, culturally and socially.

In conclusion, violence against women cannot be eliminated without investing in gender equality and continuing efforts to effectively implement the recommendations of the CEDAW Committee, which recommended that the Iraqi government give high priority to the adoption of the Family Protection Act to achieve equality between Genders and ensure women’s rights in Iraq.

Let us all unite to end violence against women and girls and provide a safe and just place where survivors of violence can speak and seek justice, hold perpetrators accountable and provide preventive measures such as legislation on protection from domestic violence and amend the penal code from a gender perspective.

Sawtuha network for women human rights defenders

25 November 2019