Speaker Dr. Rewas Faiq speaks at conference on quota systems in Iraq

The Speaker of the Kurdistan Parliament Dr. Rewas Faiq on 17 October participated in a special conference on the system of having minimum quotas for women in certain institutions and organisations, such as the Kurdistan Parliament. The conference was organized by the NGO Open Think Tank, at Saad Abdullah Palace Conference Hall. 

Speaker Faiq said that the conference was a good opportunity to talk about Kurdistan's experience of the women’s quota system and how to make it a success. She said that after 2003, the system had a very positive impact on the political situation in all of Iraq. She also noted that one of the important debates in recent years has been the issue of women's participation in political life and political sovereignty in Kurdistan Region. In the Kurdistan Region, by law 30 percent of the Kurdistan Parliament’s 111 seats are reserved for women candidates. In the Iraqi Council of Representatives, the quota is 25%. 

Dr. Faiq said that women should be trusted in positions of power and responsibility and she encouraged people to vote for women candidates in elections, saying that fortunately this has been the experience in Kurdistan. She argued that the issue of women's participation and the quota system in other authorities should also be addressed, which has been a matter of contention in both the previous term of parliament and the current one.

Parliament Secretary Ms. Muna Kahveci also spoke at the conference, please see the link below. Currently two women serve in the Kurdistan Parliament's three-person presidency.