- Country: Iraq
- Project duration: August 2022 – February 2023
- Project objective: Enabling the participating women and men to implement a gender-responsive Integrated Water Resource Management in Duhok, Iraq.
Women Leading the Water Sector in Duhok
Climate Change and Water Scarcity in Iraq
Iraq ranks among the countries most severely affected by climate change. In the years leading up to the project, it consistently placed within the top five most water-scarce nations worldwide while also experiencing some of the steepest temperature increases.
These environmental pressures intensified both inter-state and intra-state tensions around water resources. Desertification, pollution and shrinking water supplies forced many communities to migrate toward urban areas, putting additional pressure on cities and infrastructure. Rising temperatures accelerated droughts and prolonged dry periods, further worsening the spread of desertification.
By that time, 54% of Iraq’s agricultural land had already become unusable due to salinisation, while 39% of the country’s land area was affected by desertification. In several regions, communities faced severe limitations in both the quantity and quality of available water. As a result, the economic, social, political and human security of Iraq’s population of around 40 million people came under increasing strain.
Why Women’s Leadership in Water Matters
Women played a crucial role in the provision, management and protection of water resources in Iraq. Yet despite this central role, they remained underrepresented in decision-making positions within the water sector.
Addressing Iraq’s water crisis required policies and approaches that recognized women’s specific needs while also enabling them to actively shape water governance. Strengthening women’s participation in water resource management—from planning to implementation—was therefore a key step toward more sustainable and inclusive solutions.
The project aimed to support this shift by enabling participating women and men to implement gender-responsive Integrated Water Resource Management.
Women Leading the Water Sector in Duhok
The project “Women Leading the Water Sector in Duhok” was funded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and implemented by elbarlament in Iraq.
Throughout 2022 and 2023, the initiative supported 15 female water practitioners in developing the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to become leaders in the sector and to increase women’s representation in decision-making positions in Duhok.
Through a series of trainings and workshops, participants strengthened their capacities in:
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leadership and self-awareness
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communication and advocacy
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climate change and water governance
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gender-sensitive planning and management in the water sector
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learning from regional best practices
Building Support for Gender-Responsive Water Governance
To strengthen institutional support for women’s leadership, the project also brought together male decision-makers and female practitioners in a dedicated workshop.
These exchanges created a platform to discuss gender stereotypes, promote gender mainstreaming and encourage collaboration across institutions. By fostering dialogue and shared learning, the project contributed to a more inclusive and forward-looking approach to water management in Duhok.
By the end of the project in 2023, 15 female water practitioners in Duhok had strengthened their leadership skills, technical knowledge and professional networks within the water sector. Through intensive trainings and exchanges, participants gained practical tools to integrate gender perspectives into water management and to advocate for more inclusive decision-making processes.
The project helped participants develop greater confidence in their professional roles and increased their visibility within local institutions and networks working on water governance. Several participants reported applying the knowledge gained during the trainings in their daily work, particularly in areas such as gender-sensitive planning, stakeholder communication and climate change awareness.
Equally important, the project created opportunities for dialogue between female practitioners and male decision-makers in the sector. The joint workshop opened space to address gender stereotypes, discuss the benefits of gender mainstreaming and explore ways to strengthen women’s participation in leadership roles.
By bringing together practitioners, decision-makers and gender experts, the initiative contributed to greater awareness of the importance of gender-responsive water governance in Duhok. It also laid the groundwork for stronger professional networks among women working in the water sector, supporting their continued engagement and leadership beyond the duration of the project.
“Women Leading the Water Sector in Duhok” was funded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
