LocationsEmpowering Iraqi community leaders for gender mainstreaming in social cohesion and peacebuilding activities
November 25, 2021
Photo: Workshop participants. 2021.
Gender equality is required as a foundation for peaceful and unified communities. From 7-9 and 11-13 November, UNDP Iraq in partnership with Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) held two three-day workshops on gender mainstreaming in the design of social cohesion activities for community leaders in Anbar, Ninewa, and Salah al-Din governorates and Community Peace and Dialogue Committees from Diyala and Kirkuk.
UNDP Iraq in partnership with the Committee for Dialogue and Societal Peace (CDSP) supports 28 Community Peace and Dialogue Committees in the five governorates, members of which work closely with their communities to promote peace and plan activities. The workshop discussed the importance of incorporating gender considerations into community activities to encourage engagement and participation from women.
Photo: Fadhil (front left). 2021.
“Our Community Peace and Dialogue Committees are a mechanism created to support communities to bring people together. Understanding the gender structures within Iraqi communities helps our members to grasp the context, including solving problems to promote unity.”
- Fadhil Hatam Ali Mohammed, Imam and CPDC member, Baquba, Diyala
Photo: Ahang (left). 2021.
“If we want to have a strong state, we need women to have equal opportunity in governance. Women should be empowered in all aspects, especially decision making and self-confidence.”
- Ahang Anwar Jabbar, lawyer and human rights activist, CPDC member, Kirkuk
Photo: Mohammed (centre). 2021.
“We still live in a community in which there is a gender imbalance. It is important that we suggest solutions to deal with this segregation. This workshop will help us as community leaders to push for active participation of women in decision-making.”
-Mohammed Abdulwaheed Abbas, Tuz Khurmato, Salah al-Din, Head of Local Peace Committee
Photo: Raaid (far right). 2021.
“The workshop helped me to change my understanding of the gender structure, and it will help us to promote the concept of gender mainstreaming when we interact with members of society.”
-Raaid Nasser Shaya, Water and Sanitation Directorate in Tal Kaif and member of the Local Peace Committee in Ninewa Plains.
Photo: Afaf (left). 2021.
“This training will help me to work on promoting peace with the participation from all community members.”
-Afaf Abd Abdallah, School Principal, Qaim, Anbar.
UNDP Iraq has launched in 2020 a dedicated 5-year Social Cohesion Programme to promote stronger, peaceful, and more cohesive communities in all areas of Iraq. In May 2021, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between UNDP Iraq and FBA to enhance local capacities for peacebuilding in Iraq with concentration on gender mainstreaming in peacebuilding.