Erbil Sees 13% Drop in Gender-Based Violence Cases Amid Awareness Campaigns
Erbil sees 13% drop in gender-based violence cases in 2025, with 268 reports vs. 307 last year. Officials credit awareness campaigns in schools & mosques. Shelter protections and legal channels help resolve disputes—even as male complaints about infidelity rise.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Directorate for Combating Violence Against Women and Families in Erbil has recorded a notable decline in reported cases of gender-based violence, with official data revealing a 13% decrease in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Speaking to Kurdistan24 on Wednesday, Director Safin Tahir Mohammed Amin stated that “in the first six months of 2024, 307 complaints of violence against women were registered. However, in the first six months of this year, 268 complaints have been registered. This means the rate of registered complaints and cases of violence in Erbil and its surrounding areas has decreased by approximately 13%.”
According to Mohammed Amin, the majority of the registered complaints pertain to assault, threats and insults, suspicions surrounding the use of communication devices, and marital infidelity. In all such instances, the accused is referred directly to court for legal proceedings.
Interestingly, the director also noted that a growing number of men have begun filing legal complaints against women. “Most of their complaints concern marital infidelity,” he said, highlighting that these men prefer resolving such matters through legal channels rather than resorting to outdated customs.
Mohammed Amin elaborated on the Directorate’s procedures, emphasizing its protective role during investigations. “At the anti-violence office, we place the woman in one of the special shelters for those under threat while an investigation is conducted. If she is found to be at fault, she is sent to court. If she has committed no crime, she is returned to her family.”
Education and outreach efforts credited for decline
The director attributed the ongoing decline in violence to proactive awareness efforts. “The significant decrease in complaints is attributed to the continuous work of the anti-violence offices in raising family awareness through educational institutions, pulpits, and the dissemination of special messages aimed at preventing violence against women,” Mohammed Amin said.
As Erbil continues to build on this downward trend, officials stress the importance of maintaining public education and legal support as cornerstones in the campaign against domestic and gender-based violence.
