Women focus groups in Kirkuk examine the challenges women face and how to reduce them

Kirkuk: sawtuha

Within the Women’s Fund for Peace and Humanitarian Action project, the coordinator of Sawtuha Network in Kirkuk and in cooperation with the United Nations Women in Iraq held three women’s focus groups, for the period 4-8 March 2020, the number of participants in each group ranged from 20, to a total of 60 women They represent female graduates, students, employees, housewives, widows, divorcees, and those with special needs.

The three women discussed the magnitude of the problems and challenges facing women in the local environment, which limit participation in shaping policies related to women’s rights in the constitutional frameworks, local legislations, decisions and international agreements, among them Resolution 1325.

The stories presented by the participating women and the consequences of the violations caused by ISIS dominated many cities, including: forced marriage, the imposition of the veil and the niqab, the confiscation of public liberties and brutal practices of ISIS, in addition to unemployment problems, the economic crisis, and the lack of job opportunities.

The three focus groups concluded a set of recommendations and policies to be adopted by the relevant official authorities.