Women Peace and Security and Climate Training for Iraq’s Ministry of Justice in Erbil

We are proud to share the success of the Women Taking the Lead project’s latest initiative: a three-day training on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and the Climate-Security Nexus, held from 21–23 April 2025 in Erbil.

The training brought together 21 women staff members from Iraq’s Ministry of Justice (MoJ), representing various directorates and mid-level positions responsible for policy implementation and inter-ministerial coordination.

Building on the foundation laid by the previous Women Talking Peace project, this training aimed to strengthen institutional capacities to advance Iraq’s WPS agenda in line with UNSCR 1325 and the National Action Plan (INAP II). It introduced participants to the links between climate change and security challenges and provided practical tools to integrate inclusive and climate-sensitive approaches into legal and governance frameworks.

Over the three days, participants explored key topics such as:

• The WPS agenda and Iraq’s INAP II.
• Developing justice policies aligned with WPS and climate security.
• Enhancing inter-ministerial collaboration.
• Practical tools for integrating climate-security concerns into justice sector reforms.
• Strengthening monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for INAP II implementation.

The workshop also focused on actionable planning, equipping participants with methodologies to refine policies, strengthen collaboration between ministries, and promote women’s leadership within the justice sector.

The strong engagement, thoughtful discussions, and collective commitment demonstrated by the participants highlighted the growing momentum within Iraq’s institutions to advance inclusive, climate-sensitive governance.