Rashid confirms that Iraq is free of discrimination between women and men

Baghdad - INA

President of the Republic Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid confirmed today, Thursday, that Iraq is free of discrimination between women and men.

The media department of the Presidency of the Republic said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, received at the Baghdad Palace a delegation of experts from the Euro-Mediterranean Feminist Initiative and the team of the Regional Observatory on Violence against Women and Girls."

The statement added, "During the meeting, the President welcomed the visiting delegation, which included experts from Africa, Asia and Europe in the field of violence against women."

The President of the Republic stressed "the importance of combating all forms of discrimination, exclusion and violence against women, as they are an essential part of the social, economic and political development of their societies, and welcomed Iraq's joining the regional index, which included nine countries, including Iraq."

The president added according to the statement that "the constitution and the democratic system guarantee women's rights, and that Iraqis today enjoy a constitutional and legal guarantee for all segments of society," pointing out, "the role of the presidency in preparing a system of legislation consistent with human rights standards and women's rights in particular, in addition to establishing the Women's Affairs Department in the presidency and supporting women in assuming leadership positions in the presidency."

He pointed out that "the Presidency sent a number of draft laws to the House of Representatives for the purpose of ratification, including (the Domestic Violence Bill) and (the High Authority for Women's Empowerment Bill). The House of Representatives had previously enacted (the Yazidi Survivors Bill) sent by the Presidency, in addition to ratifying many treaties in this regard, as well as contributing to the preparation and writing of the national strategy to implement the content of the provisions of Security Council Resolution (1325) related to the protection of women during armed conflicts."

The President of the Republic spoke according to the statement about the Presidency's efforts in following up on the file of detainees and convicts, working on releasing those whose sentences have ended, and following up with the relevant authorities to observe human rights in detention centres.

In turn, the members of the visiting delegation expressed their thanks and respect for the President of the Republic and his ideas aimed at protecting women and establishing their rights constitutionally and legally, stressing their desire to activate communication and coordination mechanisms and expand the horizons of cooperation with Iraq in the humanitarian and societal fields.