KRG ninth cabinet supports women’s rights, fighting GBV, says official
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) ninth cabinet has been highly supportive of women’s rights and efforts to fight gender-based violence, a government official said on Tuesday.
The remarks by Dindar Zebari, the KRG Coordinator for International Advocacy, came during a conference held in Erbil on the occasion of 16 Days of Activism to combat gender-based violence.
“We, as the KRG, want to be a pioneer in fighting GBV in the region and the world. And we have taken serious legal measures to meet that end,” Zebari said in a speech he had delivered at the event, attended by representatives from the Italian embassy, government officials as well as United Nations women's agency.
As part of the KRG’s action plan, I facilitated a conference on combating gender-based violence in coordination with AOO.
— Dr. Dindar Zebari (@KRG_Coordinator) December 5, 2023
Various international and governmental counterparts emphasized the significance of mutual efforts in promoting awareness and supporting women's rights. pic.twitter.com/hTUNMbEqFN
Zebari’s office has submitted 47 international recommendations to the Iraqi government aimed at safeguarding women’s rights.
Beginning on November 25 annually, civil society organizations around the world hold numerous activities to raise awareness of women’s rights as well as advocate for greater protection of their rights.
“We reiterate the commitment of the KRG to protect the Kurdistan women’s rights and combatting violence in general and particularly against women,” Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said in a social media post in late November on the international day.
The government is committed to ensuring “the elimination of violence against women through women empowerment in the government” as well as implementing the existing laws, he added.
Read More: 16 Days of Activism: PM Barzani says KRG committed to safeguard women’s rights
The beginning of the two-week-long activities coincides with the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women and will end on December 10, Human Rights Day.