Iraq Political News: Women leaders in Iraq launch initiative to bolster peace, condemn sectarianism

Iraqi women leaders — including parliamentarians, ministers and rights activists — on Monday (February 11th) launched a peace initiative that calls on Iraqis to reject violence and sectarianism, and support civil peace and co-existence.

The initiative shows Iraqis must “make every effort to reinforce national unity; protect our social fabric, civil peace and citizen solidarity; and fight all types of violence and extremism in Iraqi society”, MP Wahda al-Jumaily told Mawtani.

The campaign calls on all political groups to speak face-to-face to find solutions to the problems that “impede the administration of the country”, on a basis of partnership and mutual trust, she said.

Women leaders “affirmed the constitutional right of all citizens to peaceful demonstration”, she said.

These demands include achieving gender balance in state offices and institutions and conducting reviews of various legislations.

Responding effectively to demonstrator demands would “deprive the enemies of Iraq, such as al-Qaeda and other armed organisations, of the chance to undermine the country’s security and stability by way of exploiting these peaceful demonstrations”, al-Jumaily said.

This is “despite our conviction all Iraqis are fully aware of the terrorists’ plans, and would not allow themselves to be dragged again to the arena of sectarian tension”, she added.

“Iraqi women parliamentarians have a large following among both women and men, and will work with civil society organisations to build peace and compassion throughout the country, and stand in the face of all attempts to undermine Iraqi unity and solidarity,” she said.

Ensuring a prosperous and secure future

Women Affairs Minister Ibtihal Kassed al-Zaidi told Mawtani she and her fellows are sponsoring the initiative “out of our sense of responsibility and our keenness to ensure a prosperous and secure future for our country, far from all types of violence and sectarianism”.

“There are numerous challenges in Iraq right now, which compel us, as women leaders, whether official or civilian, to move to overcome those challenges, and towards the reconstruction of the country,” she said.

Liza Nisan, head of the “Women of Iraq” association, told Mawtani the campaign will include numerous activities and humanitarian functions.

“We will organise festivals, conferences and mass rallies under the slogans Iraq First, No to Violence, No to Terrorism, No to Sectarianism and Discrimination, and Yes to Peace, Yes to National Unity, Co-existence, and Brotherhood, among all Iraqi social groups,” she said.

Through these activities, Iraqi women are crying out against “against the terrorists who have sowed death among our innocent citizens, and who want this country to remain in a cycle of violence”, she said.

“They are constantly trying to drag youth towards despicable sectarianism, from which we reaped nothing but destruction and devastation”, she added.

Nisan called on political leaders to support a language of dialogue and understanding in order to find satisfactory solutions that could help solve disputes or political crises and to foster an environment that promotes stability and joint co-operation in rebuilding the country.

Women leaders must be present at all discussions and negotiation sessions concerning the current political situation, Nisan said, adding that it is their right to take part in the political process, reinforce their positions, and uphold their views on how to settle current difficulties.

Source: Al Shorfa