Merger of parliamentary committees further sidelines Iraqi women
Feminists in Iraq are speaking out against the merger of the parliamentary committees on human rights with that on women, family and childhood, saying the latter was already overextended and insufficient to effect female advancement.
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Council of Representatives voted Dec. 6 to merge the committee on human rights with the committee on women, family and childhood. Multiple political and parliamentary figures described the formation of one committee on human rights, women, family and childhood as a dangerous scheme that will marginalize women and deny them access to the cabinet. Women currently make up 25% of the Iraqi Parliament.
Only three out of the new committee's seven members are female, as many female lawmakers refused to join it in anger over the merger. The dispute has also so far prevented the election of its president and vice president.
