'Women and Men Working in Equal Partnership for the Future of Iraq': An Advocacy and Action Plan

A recent meeting was held in London with Iraqi women’s organizations from the diaspora, UNIFEM UK, and a number of UK women’s organizations to discuss how to ensure women’s participation in post-conflict reconstruction in Iraq. One outcome of the meeting was an advocacy and action plan, included below, for the following weeks and months entitled 'Women and men working in equal partnership for the future of Iraq.’

Summary of agreed points:

1. If Iraq is to have a chance of progress with stability, gender considerations need to be mainstreamed into the entire reconstruction processes.

2. We are not talking about the addition of a few token women as a luxury bolt-on extra and the possible hapless appointment of Minister for women with neither power nor resources (as happened in Afghanistan). At least one third of Ministers of interim Government should be qualified women with an understanding of the priorities for Iraqi women as well as men. If a Minister for Women is appointed she must have resources and the power and seniority to be effective in her task.

3. There has been much discussion on how to achieve proportionality of various religious and ethnic groups in the road map for post-conflict Iraq. Over 50 % of the Iraq population are female. Without the input of women in setting the new agenda at all levels from grass-roots to national government only half the talent pool in Iraq is being utilized to rebuild Iraq.

4. Regardless of whether it is the US, UN, or some other 'coalition of the willing,' who run Iraq, any interim administrations at national, regional and local levels and all aspects of the planning and policy development, all entities set up to develop and govern the future Iraq should include at least 40% women and at least 40% men.

5. This would be in line with UN Resolution 1325 passed in October 2000 stating the importance of inclusion of women and mainstreaming gender into all aspects of post-conflict reconstruction and peace operations.

6. This will include a gender-balanced team drawing up a new constitution (as in South Africa). We want to see a new secular constitution that does not discriminate against women.

7. It will include appointments of women to transitional and interim governments, ministries and committees dealing with systems of local and national governance, judiciary - rule of law, policing, human rights, allocating funds, free media development, all economic and privatisation processes, and conducting future elections. It is very important for women to be consulted and involved in the Security aspect of reconstruction - policing, judiciary etc as well as in democracy- building and welfare and education issues . Essential to get constitutional reform, adoption of CEDAW and other human rights conventions, change in Personal Status Law. (The judicial reform group set up by State Department from Iraqis in US has no women members!)

8. We want to see a real change for the better in the daily life of women as well as for men in Iraq. (in all recent post-conflict environments women are left on scrapheap of poverty, exposed to violence from all sections of society, including peace keepers and unable to access scarce aid resources)

9. Women's human rights must be the order of the day, overriding the wretched phrases 'traditional values' and 'custom of the region' - why should 52% of a population be excluded from their nation's political dynamic rebirth, bereft of universal human rights.

10. One concern raised at the meeting was that the US appointed legal team currently developing a new legal code for Iraq consisted of all male lawyers and judges. (This needs confirmation). Any new legal code should repeal Sharia laws and introduce a secular legal system which does not discriminate against women. It should abolish all decrees and laws which adversely affect women such as Honour Killings. There should also be legislation to address violence against women including domestic violence.

11. Gender must necessarily be built into core activities from the start, rather than the hapless bolt-on, often insincere and certainly unconvincing efforts we have seen in post-conflict situations the past.

This includes:

Participation

Representation of women and men in planning decision-making, at least 40% men/40% women on both sides (indigenous and international). Post South African was an example.

Distribution of Resources

Information, money, political and economic power, education, training, space. Cash and education and training is not neutral, it gets distributed incredibly unequally between the sexes.

Rights

Direct and indirect sex discrimination. Access to justice in the legal, political and socio-economic environment, freedom from sexual violence, degradation and intimidation.

Action US and UK governments, UN and UN Member States, and other International Organizations

We want US President George Bush, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, American General Jay Garner, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and other international organisations to ensure that women are deployed at all levels of post conflict missions in approximately equal numbers to men, including the most senior posts (In Afghanistan, despite UN Resolution 1325 - only men were appointed to the top 5 UN posts). If needed we can help with suggested names of women qualified to hold these posts.

Action UK Government

Concern was expressed that on the Iraqi Reconstruction Group thought to have been set up by the UK government there are only 5 women out of approx 30 members. Women present expressed concern that be contrast to the small number of women there are several Islam Fundamentalists on the Iraqi Reconstruction Group. They want the UK Government to appoint an equal number of women and men to this group.

Media

It was agreed that as events in Iraq are moving so fast, information will be circulated to the media during this week.

Those present agreed to carry out the following actions:

Iraqi women representatives -

1. Draw up a list starting with minimum 35 names and mini descriptions of Iraqi women who would be qualified to serve on interim administrations at national, regional and local levels. First list to be completed by Friday 11 April. (List will be ongoing and names will be added.)

2. Invite other organizations of Iraqi women(and men)to make a coalition The coalition with campaign/advocate/lobby in support of inclusion of women and mainstreaming gender considerations throughout all reconstruction and governance processes and activities. Reach out to include groups from both sides of the arguments in favour and against the War.

This advocacy and action plan has been circulated by K.U.L.U.- WOMEN AND DEVELOPMENT (Denmark). To contact them, email kulu@kulu.dk or visit their website at http://www.kulu.dk