On International Women\'s Day the SRSG notes progress made by Iraqi women and the urgent need
08 March 2009
Baghdad-8 March 2009-The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Iraq Staffan de Mistura, noted during commemorations marking the International Women’s Day, on Sunday that, “Iraqi women made much progress towards asserting their political representational rights during the provincial elections held last January, but remain vulnerable to discrimination and violence on the basis of gender.”
The SRSG points to that large number of widowed Iraqi women as an issue requiring urgent and immediate attention. He expressed his concern that the many years of wars and conflict have stalled and set back progress towards achieving equality for Iraqi women. He urged all relevant authorities to marshal resources to ensure that women’s rightful access to education and healthcare, work and effective political participation.
Mr. de Mistura emphasized the need for a national strategy to protect Iraqi women’s rights in all aspects of their life, and expressed the United Nations readiness to assist in realizing such a national strategy.
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