On International Women’s Day (March 8, 2022) Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) and the German Embassy, Iraq held a virtual event on the status of women in Iraq’s security forces.

CIVIC shared key findings and recommendations from its report, “Missing in Action: Women in Iraq’s Security Forces”, and a panel discussed the causes and effects of the gender gap in Iraq’s security sector. Panelists representing the security sector in Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Iraqi civil society, and the international security sector reform establishment shared their unique perspectives and next steps for improving security sector operations in Iraq, as well as protection and security for Iraq’s civilians.

Speakers:

Federico Borello, Executive Director, Center for Civilians in Conflict

Julian Roessler, German Embassy Iraq

Jordan Lesser-Roy, Iraq Researcher, Center for Civilians in Conflict

Panelists:

Staff General Ahmed Jasim, Head of Training Department, Joint Operations Command

Staff Brigadier General Hajar Aumar Ismail, Senior Military Advisor, Ministry of Peshmerga

Hanaa Edwar, Chair of Iraqi Al amal Association and the chair of Iraqi Women Network.

Anette Schwitzke, Gender & Human Rights Adviser, EU Advisory Mission in Iraq