Speech by Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Launch of Report on GBV and Hate Speech against Female Candidates in the October 2021 Elections

Dr. Yusra Karim, Director-General, Women’s Empowerment Directorate, General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers,

Dr. Ahlam al-Jabiri, Commissioner, Independent High Elections Commission,

Ambassador Jonas Lovèn, Swedish Embassy,

Ambassador Rend al-Rahim, President, Free Iraq Foundation,

Ms. Faryal Al Kaabi, NGO Representative

Ms. Dina Zorba, Country Representative, UNWOMEN,

Newly- Elected Members of Parliament,

Former Members of Parliament,

Members of the International Community,

My colleagues in the UN family,

Distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen,

First, I thank the Free Iraq Foundation, our implementing partner for organizing this conference to launch the report on gender-based violence and hate speech against female candidates in the October elections. The project is part of fulfilling our mandate in promoting women’s full and equal participation in political and electoral processes. I recognize the efforts of other entities who contributed to promoting women’s participation in the October elections including the Directorate for Women’s Empowerment at the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, UNW and local NGOs and civil society. That shows that women’s political advancement is achievable through our joint efforts.

I congratulate Iraqi women for their exemplary performance and winning 95 seats in the Council of Representatives. Before the elections, I interacted with Iraqi women leaders, members of the Women Advisory Group and civil society representatives online and in physical meetings in Baghdad, Mosul, Kirkuk and other locations to hear their views and concerns regarding the elections. From that engagement, I understood that female candidates were facing many challenges. There are numerous hurdles that women face when they come forward and request their fair share of power, and the obstacles are not limited to elections. Women are faced with practical challenges, cultural-related challenges, and security-related challenges. We will hear more about gender-based violence and hate speech that some of the candidates faced in the conference today.

We should not let Iraqi women down. I urge political actors and relevant entities to translate the exemplary performance of women in the elections into better and more opportunities for women’s representation and participation in other areas of governance for example at the executive level.

For Iraqi women who won, do not let your constituents down. I urge you to use your time and service in Parliament to fully bring women’s concerns and interests at the heart of legislation to the extent possible alongside male MPs that support women’s rights. As we are aware, one critical piece of legislation that remains pending is the Anti-Domestic Violence Bill. Here, allow me to acknowledge the efforts of former women MPs and the leadership of the Committee on Women, Children and Family Affairs which made efforts to push for bills to advance women’s empowerment. Your experiences and lessons learnt are valuable to the new MPs.

Following the issuance of the report on gender-based violence and hate speech against female candidates in the last elections, I urge the Government of Iraq, political parties, and other relevant entities to consider the recommendations therein and to take concrete steps to create a safe environment for women to enable them to participate in future electoral processes.  Only once politically and socially active women are protected and safe, Iraq can claim to be making real progress towards women’s rights, equality, and empowerment.

As UNAMI, we remain steadfast in providing the requested support to enhancing women’s political participation within our mandate.

Thank you.