Iraqi women performed well in October elections: UNAMI

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraqi women performed much better in the October 2021 parliamentary elections than in the previous May 2018 elections, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said in a report on Monday.

“The Iraqi women candidates were able to break out on their own and win seats, beyond their quota, despite obstacles such as gender stereotypes, security challenges, insufficient political support, and the limited campaign experience of some first-time candidate(s),” UNAMI said in a press release. 

“The performance of Iraqi women in the October elections marks a major improvement from the 2018 elections, with 29 percent representation up from 25 percent,” the release added. “The fact that 57 women from 16 governorates, out of the 95 women candidates, won outside the quota demonstrates Iraqi women’s ability to win on their own merits.” 

The UNAMI report pointed out that the gender quota remains a key instrument for guaranteeing female representation in the Council of Representatives.

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“Iraqi women have proven that when they have the opportunity to enter politics, they excel. The 2021 election is a case in point – an unprecedented number of seats went to women candidates, above their quota,” the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq for Political and Electoral Affairs, Ingibjörg Sólrún-Gísladótti, said.

“I encourage this success to be reflected in the government formation and with senior appointments,” she said. “Women should take their rightful place in politics and all decision making in the society.” 

“The exemplary performance of women in the October elections should be translated into advances in other areas.”