No excuses: Event in Kirkuk’s Daquq raises awareness on gender-based violence

KIRKUK — Under the slogan “No Excuse,” the Iraqi Al-Amal Association, in collaboration with the Daquq Youth Forum, held an event as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

The event featured a silent play addressing cyber extortion, a workshop discussing the causes of violence and potential solutions, and a call to action for greater inclusion of women in law enforcement to protect them from violence.

Daquq Mayor Siraj Al-Din Nadhim stressed the broader implications of gender-based violence. “Violence against women is not just a violation of their individual rights; it is a significant obstacle to achieving social justice and development,” he told 964media.

“Our collective responsibility as individuals and institutions is to promote awareness of women’s rights and create a safe environment where they can reach their full potential. Let us use the 16 Days campaign to launch new initiatives, raise awareness, and support legislation and policies that uphold women’s dignity,” he added.

Manal Luqman, a civil activist, highlighted the growing prevalence of violence against women. “Recently, we’ve seen women and girls subjected to various forms of violence by families, coworkers, and others,” she said. The festival featured a dialogue session exploring the causes of violence and possible remedies, alongside a silent play about the dangers of cyber extortion.

Sirud Mohammed, head of the Kirkuk office for the Al-Amal Association, drew attention to alarming statistics. “The United Nations reports that a woman is killed every 10 minutes worldwide,” she told 964media.

“In Kirkuk, many murders occur without justification—stemming from cyber extortion, misunderstandings, or situations that lead to suicide. We’re also seeing an increase in early marriages among underage girls, often ending in divorce or suicide,” she said.

Mohammed also pointed to the lack of female participation in law enforcement as a major barrier to combating gender-based violence. “Violence and killings are on the rise, and it remains difficult for women to join the police force. We need genuine female representation, and we urge the Ministry of Interior to provide more opportunities for women in Kirkuk. Most districts don’t even have female officers,” she said.

She further called for serious investigations into suicides and the establishment of support centers for survivors. “We demand a serious approach to addressing these issues and ensuring women have the resources and protection they need,” Mohammed concluded.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international initiative aimed at raising awareness and inspiring action to eliminate violence against women and girls. It runs annually from Nov. 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to Dec. 10, Human Rights Day.