Higher Council for Women votes to launch “Laha” initiative

INA - BAGHDAD

The Higher Council for Women voted to launch the “Laha” - For Her - initiative, which includes several programs aimed at economically empowering women and enhancing their capabilities.

PM Muhammed S. Al-Sudani chaired on Monday the regular meeting of the Higher Council for Women, during which the council discussed the agenda items and issued the necessary directives and decisions, according to a statement by the PM Media Office - received by the Iraqi News agency - INA.

The Higher Council for Women commended the successful implementation of the general population and housing census in Iraq, recognizing it as a crucial developmental step in shaping the country’s future. The census provides an essential database on the status of women in society, enabling the formulation of plans to improve their conditions.

The Prime Minister directed ministries to involve more qualified and competent women in management roles, empowering them to assume senior positions. 

He emphasized supporting women and ensuring their inclusion in social programs, such as social welfare stipends and soft loans for income-generating small projects.

The Higher Council for Women voted to launch the “Laha” (For Her) initiative, which includes several programs aimed at economically empowering women and enhancing their capabilities. This initiative features:

•        Opening literacy centers for women in Baghdad and other provinces.
•        Raising awareness about common psychological and physical illnesses.
•        Establishing a women and children’s center in each province.
•        Creating smart agricultural villages for women in collaboration with the General Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Societies.
•        Training 500 young female agricultural engineers, who are not employed, in partnership with Baghdad Municipality and provincial municipal offices.

To enhance the skills and effectiveness of female employees, the council approved the organization of specialized workshops highlighting women’s roles and their participation in the public sector. Additionally, the council followed up on the draft law on combating cybercrimes, focusing on its provisions related to women, and called for expediting its legislative procedures.

The Higher Council for Women also reviewed progress on the experimental version of the platform “Ayn al-Mar’a” (Eye on Women and Her Ideas Bank).

The Higher Council for Women made several other decisions, including:
•        Launching the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
•        Approving the naming of a bridge after a prominent Iraqi woman figure.
•        Establishing an annual poetry festival for women.

The Higher Council for Women also addressed the ongoing war waged by the Zionist entity on Gaza and Lebanon, emphasizing the need to continue supporting the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples. The council decided to launch a relief campaign to assist Palestinian and Lebanese refugees currently hosted in Iraq.