Forum on Baghdad’s Mutanabbi Street spotlights women’s political participation

BAGHDAD — Al-Mada Foundation for Culture and Arts hosted a forum Friday on Baghdad’s Al-Mutanabbi Street titled “Women and Their Role in Political Life,” bringing together academics and researchers to examine the evolving place of women in Iraq’s political system.

Speakers pointed to a noticeable shift in societal attitudes and emphasized that women have demonstrated increasing effectiveness in both legislative and public service roles. Some called for women to be integrated into leadership positions based on merit rather than quota systems, and advocated for broader legal reforms.

“Iraqi society is heavily influenced by tribal traditions, but recently, women have proven themselves more productive and effective than men,” said Hind Ismail Al-Baz, one of the panelists. She added that while campaigning, “people tell me they will vote for a woman, not a man, because men do not deliver the results women do.”

Al-Baz, who said she had not encountered major barriers in her political career so far, encouraged women to enter politics with self-confidence. “Be yourself and have strong confidence,” she said.

Raja Saadi, assistant dean at the College of Fine Arts, told 964media the number of female candidates is growing and that many come from academic, scientific, and medical backgrounds. “In my view, the future of women’s participation in decision-making in Iraq is very bright,” she said.

Saadi urged greater female representation in senior leadership positions, including university presidencies and judicial roles, and called for an end to dependence on quotas. “We need to move beyond the quota system and work toward full participation based on capability,” she said.