Baghdad – Iraq, March 8, 2024

On International Women's Day, we unite to reaffirm our commitment to advancing the rights and empowerment of women and girls worldwide. Under the theme of "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”, we recognize the urgency to address the persistent challenges hindering equality between men and women.

The economic empowerment of women remains a paramount objective in our pursuit of equality. Secure incomes, access to decent work, and meaningful participation in decision-making processes are essential for creating a prosperous and just society. Yet, globally, investment in women falls short, with $360 billion deficit in funding needed to address the specific needs of women and girls.

Investing in women is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity for inclusive economic growth, food security and income opportunities, leading to better outcomes at the individual, familial, and community levels, ultimately contributing to long-term sustainable development and social stability, particularly amongst the most vulnerable communities.

To commemorate International Women’s Day in Iraq, National Directorate of Iraqi Women / General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, in collaboration with UN agencies, brought together high-level stakeholders from the Government of Iraq, public and private sectors, civil society organizations, and international partners to amplify our collective commitment to investing in women. The celebration showcased achievements in women's economic empowerment, identifying key gaps, and charted a way forward towards the achievement of equality between men and women in all spheres of life. 

Iraqi women have shown resilience and determination in their pursuit of economic empowerment, with initiatives aimed at increasing their representation in decision-making roles. Women encounter additional obstacles, including unequal access to food and resources, wage gap, high levels of informal employment, limited access to entrepreneurship opportunities and financial services, and burdensome care responsibilities. Moreover, women face high risk of violence and discrimination due to social and cultural norms.

Iraq has made strides in advancing women's rights, including through legislative measures to ensure women's representation in parliament and political spheres. Recent parliamentary elections saw a significant increase in women parliamentarians, surpassing the constitutionally mandated quota. This progress is a testament to the potential for change and underscores the importance of continued investment in women's empowerment.

UN Iraq stands ready to work with the Government of Iraq, public and private sectors, and civil society organizations to accelerate progress towards a future where every woman and girl can realize her full potential.