UN 'deeply concerned' with lack of female representation in new Iraq government

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq, Ján Kubiš, says he is “disappointed” at the lack of female representation in the new Iraqi government following a session on Wednesday where 14 ministers were sworn in the new cabinet.

On Wednesday night, the Iraqi Parliament gave its vote of confidence to 14 ministers in the new government headed by Adel Abdul-Mahdi with lawmakers disagreeing on the remaining eight ministerial posts, including the ministries of Defense, Interior, and Justice.

Abdul-Mahdi will have until the first week of November to complete his cabinet, which will require negotiations with various factions in the country.

Kubiš welcomed the partial formation of Iraq’s new Council of Ministers but voiced deep concern at the lack of female representation among ministers announced so far, a statement by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) read.

“I reiterate that the new Government should work hard to meet the aspirations and expectations of the Iraqi people” and work “in full respect of a Constitution that guarantees the rights and equality of all Iraqi citizens,” the UN official said.

However,Kubiš noted that “there are excellent, well qualified and experienced females active in the political life [of Iraq], and ignoring their potential is to miss important opportunities for Iraq.”

Parliamentary Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi has said that MPs will reconvene on Nov. 6 to vote on the remaining ministries.

Kurds are expected to occupy four ministerial posts in the new cabinet. So far, only two have taken their oaths, with the other two being among the yet unchosen eight ministers.