Baghdad – The Arab women journalists festival officially opened today in Baghdad, bringing together top Arab female media figures. Advisor to the Prime Minister, Hussein Allawi, confirmed the launch of this high-profile event. The festival reflects Iraq’s growing role in regional media leadership and cultural dialogue.
Allawi stated that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is sponsoring the event. He added that Iraq is proud to host the 14th International Festival of Arab Women Journalists. This important gathering began Tuesday and will continue until June 13, 2025.
The event is organized by the Government Communication Team, the Iraqi Women Journalists Forum, and the Communications and Media Commission. According to Allawi, the festival serves as a major platform for discussing journalism, women’s leadership, and Arab unity.
Iraq has recently seen growing activity across several sectors. These include media, culture, economics, and politics. Allawi credited this momentum to Iraq’s successful role in Arab and international conferences. He highlighted Iraq’s leadership at the 34th Arab Summit and Baghdad’s selection as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2025.
The Arab women journalists festival is part of this national progress. It features panel discussions, cultural exchanges, and the distribution of the Atwar Bahjat Award. This annual award honors the memory of the martyred journalist who stood for truth and sacrificed her life for journalism. The award encourages female Arab journalists to keep their voices strong and impactful.
Allawi mentioned that the first journalist to arrive was Atfarah Al-Mahdi from Mauritania. She expressed joy at joining the Baghdad event and thanked Iraq for its invitation.
Furthermore, Allawi emphasized Iraq’s long-standing civilizational legacy. With more than 7,000 years of history, Iraq now plays a central role in promoting Arab cultural ties. He also noted that Prime Minister al-Sudani actively supports journalism, art, and digital media.
Moreover, the Prime Minister has backed the creation of the Supreme Council for Women. This council champions institutional progress and women’s empowerment, especially in the media sector.
In conclusion, the Arab women journalists festival showcases Iraq’s commitment to progress, media freedom, and gender equality. The event stands as a proud symbol of unity and expression for Arab women in journalism.
