Baghdad – As Iraq gears up for the parliamentary elections on November 11, a growing movement of influential female politicians is advocating for expanded political participation beyond the current gender quotas, calling for women to hold high-ranking leadership positions within the government.
Led by current parliament members and local council representatives, this initiative is urging Iraq’s leading political factions to support female candidates not only for parliamentary seats but also for top roles such as governors, ministers, and even the speaker of parliament.
The campaign was launched with the inaugural Sin Forum for Dialogue in Baghdad, an event designed to empower aspiring female candidates and shift the conversation around women’s roles in politics.
Aula Al-Tamimi, a member of the Baghdad Provincial Council and the founder of the forum, shared how the idea came about. “The idea emerged suddenly as I observed political developments, the election law, and participation trends. Within a week, we had organized this forum,” she explained.
Al-Tamimi hopes to expand the initiative across Iraq, planning to take future editions of the forum to cities like Basra and Erbil. She emphasized the importance of increased female representation in key political roles: “Why not have a woman as speaker of parliament, or as a governor, or in the Cabinet? Iraqi women are strong and capable of succeeding in these roles. I myself secured a seat previously held by a man, without relying on the women’s quota.”
Iraq’s electoral law reserves 25 percent of parliament seats for women, a step considered positive for representation. However, some critics argue that this quota can act as a ceiling for female participation rather than a foundation for further advancement.
Bayda Khidr, a parliament member and speaker at the forum, echoed this sentiment: “Iraq’s women have great potential. When given the opportunity, women excel in any role, whether as lawmakers, ministers, teachers, or engineers.” Khidr also noted the challenges that still exist in a patriarchal society: “While the quota system is a step forward, we need more space for women to prove themselves.”
Instead of opposing the quota, forum organizers advocate for it to be seen as just the beginning, encouraging new female candidates to run strong campaigns, compete alongside male candidates, and earn leadership positions based on merit and public support.
