Kvinna till Kvinna has supported women’s rights in Iraq since 2007. In recent years, Iraqi society has become increasingly insecure, with conservatism on the rise. This has greatly reduced women’s freedom. While equality is enshrined in Iraq’s constitution, discriminatory laws still condone harmful practices. In the face of this, our partners tirelessly advocate for women’s rights, with a special focus on vulnerable minorities.
After a US-led coalition overthrew Saddam Hussein in 2003, the resulting societal instability triggered conservative reactions and a return to more traditional patriarchal views on women’s roles in society and at home.
This, together with the fact that conservative forces have attempted to restrict women’s rights before and that women forced to flee are at high risk of gender-based violence and poverty, makes Kvinna till Kvinna and our partner organisations work crucial.
Together with our partner organisations in Iraq, we:
In 2014, Iraq’s parliament discussed the so-called Jafaari law, that would allow men to marry girls as young as nine and make men the guardian of their wives. The Iraqi women’s movement instantly reacted and prevented the law from being adopted.
In an increasingly conservative society where freedom of movement is diminishing and violence is on the rise, Iraqi women's organisations struggle with internal disagreements and even to exist at all. At the same time, they work together to combat the widespread violence against women, push for stronger legislation, and educate police and lawyers on how to best protect women and hold perpetrators accountable. In 2011, the movement won an important victory when an anti-trafficking law was passed.
After years of trying to find answers and justice for her father, Dalya Mahmood Almaamary was finally able to get the Iraqi Parliament to increase their budget for finding and identifying missing family members kidnapped by ISIS.
8 March 2023
It’s been more than one year since Intisar Al-Amyal was awarded with the Swedish government’s prize for democracy and human rights. The Iraqi women human rights defender shares her thoughts on working under both pandemic and constant threats.
1 February 2022
Free legal assistance made all the difference for Heba. She is one of many women seeking help from our partner organisation Pena Center in Iraq.
15 October 2021