Fostering Diversity and Equality: Training Programme for Women’s Equal Participation Within Institutions in Iraq

Iraqi society, and in particular Iraqi women, have had extremely violent experiences of decades of wars and ethnic and religious conflicts, whereas women’s participation is especially challenged today by existing inequalities compared to men in social spheres, politics, economy and the labour market as well as violence against women and harassment as a common phenomenon women experience in Iraq today.

Hence, although Iraq has experienced greater stability since the end of the Islamic State (IS) reign of terror in 2017, Iraqis are still waiting for economic and social progress today. Before this background, women can and must play a formative and equal role in shaping the future of the Iraqi state. Their involvement in various fields is not only in line with the Iraqi Government’s existing international obligations, but also national strategies and laws to foster equal participation for all, women and men. On the one hand, a more balanced work-environment in the private sector in Iraq will have positive effects on several levels, on the other hand improved knowledge of civil society partners from different sectors to sustainably support equality and participation can enhance organisations’ performance to support long-term change and positive development in Iraq.

Considering the lack of training opportunities in Iraq and the need for increased capacities of experts and non-specialised persons, the project „Fostering Diversity and Equality: Training Program for Women’s Equal Participation Within Institutions in Iraq” aims to intervene at this point and support the project „Strengthening the participation of women in the rehabilitation and peace process in Iraq (SPW)” with the implementation
of a long-term training programme to foster diversity and equality within institutions and organisations and thereby improve women’s participation.