In this moving address to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), Walaa Musheer Ahmed, Founder and Executive Director of Better World Organization for Community Development (BWOCD), discusses the vital progress and remaining gaps in the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. While Iraq was a pioneer in adopting the National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325, women in marginalized and conflict-affected communities still face significant barriers. BWOCD’s founder highlights how bridging this gap by:
✅ Integrating WPS into protection and MHPSS services.
✅ Securing seats for women on official peace committees in Bartella.
✅ Integrating women-led crisis management committees into Duhok’s government structures.
✅ Empowering Youth Peace Ambassadors to lead the next generation.
Key Priorities for the Future:
- Strengthening accountability between government and civil society.
- Meaningful inclusion of marginalized women in policy-making.
- Sustainable, flexible funding for local women-led organizations.