Women Empowerment Unit
Unit's Message
Empowering women to be key players in achieving sustainable development in a country that guarantees them all their constitutional rights, makes them capable of dealing with challenges, enhances their role in all fields, provides them with complete protection and ensures, without discrimination, economic, social and political opportunities that enable them to enhance their abilities to elevate the status of their country.
Overview of the Unit
Due to the importance of developing female leadership in higher education and their participation in decision-making and active and permanent presence in committees and leadership positions, the Ministry has adopted programs related to women's empowerment in cooperation with Iraqi universities and international organizations. This led to the establishment of the Women Empowerment Department at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research according to Ministerial Order No. (14) dated 5/1/2021 to follow up on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (1325). Additionally, a Women Empowerment Unit has been established in all universities and formations related to the Ministry according to Ministerial Order No. 479 dated 6/7/2021.
Unit Objectives
- Working to increase the percentage of female leaders in the Ministry of Higher Education by highlighting their competencies and achievements.
- Developing women's scientific capacities in higher education by facilitating and supporting their participation in local and international conferences.
- Promoting women's participation in economic development through supporting innovative projects and technology incubators.
- Obtaining the support of the international community and local and global organizations to contribute to the implementation of UN decisions related to women.
- Raising awareness of the community about the status and rights of women and combating violence through organizing more courses and conducting research with specialized centers.
- Improving the image of women in all forms of media, whether visual, audio, or written.
- Honoring creative and distinguished Iraqi women in their fields of specialization through creative awards or making documentary films about their achievements.
- Supporting young female researchers who accomplish exceptional research at an early age during the doctoral stage through specialized committees that select distinguished works for support.
- Working to establish a culture of equal opportunities and gender equality in higher education and related formations.
Unit Strategy
The unit emphasizes the commitment of the ministry and universities to women's rights and their implementation in accordance with national charters, particularly the constitution, as well as international agreements, treaties, and declarations that Iraq has pledged to. This will be achieved through the following objectives:
- Leadership empowerment of women and enhancement of their leadership roles by encouraging their participation in leadership positions within and outside the ministry and universities, and preparing them for success in these positions, while preventing discrimination against women.
- Protection of women by eliminating negative phenomena that threaten their lives, safety, and dignity, and hinder their effective participation in all fields, including violence against women, and protecting them from environmental hazards that may negatively affect them socially or economically.
- Social empowerment of women by creating opportunities for greater social participation and expanding their capabilities to make choices, and preventing practices that perpetuate discrimination against or harm women, whether in the public or private sector.
- Obtaining the support of the international community and local and global organizations to contribute to the implementation of UN decisions related to women.
- Raising awareness of the community about the status and rights of women and combating violence through organizing more courses and conducting research with specialized centers.
- Economic empowerment of women by developing their capacities to expand job opportunities for them, increase their participation in the workforce, achieve equal employment opportunities for women in all sectors, and in entrepreneurship and leadership positions in public institutions and private companies.
Unit News and Activities
Complaints and Suggestions Form
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