Iraqi women leaders launch campaign to expand political power

BAGHDAD — As Iraq prepares for parliamentary elections set for Nov. 11, a group of prominent women politicians is pushing to expand female political participation beyond parliamentary quotas, calling for women to hold top leadership roles across government.

The campaign, spearheaded by sitting parliamentarians and local council members, urges Iraq’s dominant political factions to support female candidates not only for parliament but for positions such as governors, ministers, and speaker of parliament.

The movement launched with the first edition of the Sin Forum for Dialogue in Baghdad, aimed at empowering new female candidates and reshaping the narrative around women in politics.

“Honestly, the idea came suddenly,” said Aula Al-Tamimi, a member of the Baghdad Provincial Council and founder of the forum. “I was observing developments in the political scene — the election law and changes to it, and participation rates — and the idea just clicked. Within a week, I organized the forum.”

Al-Tamimi said the initiative will expand to other cities. “Today is the first edition, and God willing, it will have future versions in Baghdad and continue to Basra and Erbil.”

Calling for deeper inclusion, she added, “We hope Iraqi women are given space in political work and are appointed to key positions. Why not have a woman as speaker of parliament? Or a governor? Or expand their participation in the Cabinet? Iraqi women are strong and capable of making the most of their positions. I, for example, won a seat that had been held by a man, without relying on the women’s quota.”

Iraq’s electoral law reserves 25 percent of parliament seats for women — a measure widely seen as progress for representation. But critics say the quota can act as a ceiling rather than a floor, leading some parties to treat it as the maximum level of female participation.

Bayda Khidr, a member of parliament and speaker at the forum, echoed the call for broader representation. “Everyone knows Iraqi women have great potential and are effective. With my political experience, I’ve seen that when a woman is given space, she excels — whether as a lawmaker, a minister, a teacher, or an engineer. In every role, if she’s given room, she shines.”

Khidr acknowledged persistent social barriers. “Of course, the percentage granted to women in the election law is very good, and nominees should use it to intensify their efforts. But we live in a patriarchal and Eastern society. In other countries, women have been given more space. I believe they don’t give much space here because they know women excel and take the place of men.”

Rather than oppose the quota system, forum organizers emphasized that it should be treated as a starting point. Their message to new candidates: build strong campaigns, compete directly with male candidates, and claim leadership roles based on merit and public support.