EP - Women are key players in reconstruction of Iraq

The Women's Rights Committee voiced its solidarity with the women of Iraq after hearing the testimony of several Iraqi women at a public hearing on Wednesday. Addressing a large audience, a number of Iraqi women who are working for peace, democracy and women's rights told MEPs of the obstacles facing the reconstruction process, particularly in Basra and Baghdad. They asked the EU and the European Parliament to strengthen and support the role of women in Iraqi society.

Women in Iraq currently face violence, insecurity and discrimination. The cities are run down and dirty, with weapons freely available. In this atmosphere, taking part in social and economic activity, politics and even going to school are virtually impossible, said several speakers. They added that violence is a long-standing problem with roots in a traditional tribal system which was used and manipulated by the regime of Saddam Hussein. Many women have had to leave Iraq and are anxious about the future of their families and their country. They want to set up networks and they are calling on the international community for assistance.

EU aid could focus on psychological support, job creation, the building of orphanages and facilities for widows and the disabled, training and education centres, training periods in Europe and the setting up of clothes manufacturing workshops. The European Parliament should, said the Iraqi speakers, send a delegation to their country to assess the situation or support the holding of an international conference and the creation of networks for women. The United Nations and EU should also speed up the transfer of sovereignty to the people of Iraq.

MEPs promised to back their cause but emphasised that Iraqi women must take part themselves in the reconstruction and democratisation of their country. They asked questions about the meaning of sharia, the wearing of the veil, death penalty and the new constitution currently being drafted. They explained that the European Parliament had undertaken to be vigilant as regards the reconstruction of Iraq, and stressed that women must have access to EU funding for Iraq.

During the hearing, representatives of the UN and the European Commission sketched out the policy measures of their institutions. Winding up, committee chair, Anna KARAMANOU (PES, GR) reminded the meeting of the undertakings given by the Thessaloniki European Council, which called on the Commission to monitor and assess the situation in Iraq. Parliament, she said, should persuade Commissioner Patten to take account of the role of women in the reconstruction of Iraq. She also stressed the importance of the forthcoming donor's conference. Lastly, she pointed out that in Iraq, Afghanistan and everywhere else women had a key role to play in the peace process, in negotiations and in international politics.

01.10.2003 Committee on Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities
In the chair: Anna KARAMANOU (PES, GR)

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