ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Twelve women, including four in the Kurdistan Region, head electoral lists in Iraq’s parliamentary elections, marking a notable step for female representation on the political stage as the country prepares for its November 11 vote.
"Having female candidates at the top of the lists is a moral incentive, and if they win, it will pave the way for them to assume other positions, such as deputy speaker of parliament and chair of parliamentary committees," Vian Sheikh Ali, head of the Tammuz Organization for Social Development, told Rudaw on Friday.
In the Kurdistan Region, women top the lists of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), New Generation, and the Turkmen Front in Sulaimani, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) list in Duhok.
The largest number of lists headed by female candidates is in Baghdad, where there are four - the Qadiatana Movement, the Omran Party, the Da'i Party, and the National Pioneers Movement.
A woman also heads the PUK list in Diyala, and in Anbar a woman leads the Omran Party list. In Kirkuk, a female candidate tops the same party's list, and in Dhi Qar Governorate, a woman leads the Khadamat alliance list.
Women performed well in the 2021 election, winning more than the 25% quota of seats reserved for them.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, earlier in October, urged respect for female candidates.
“Women's candidacy is very important and valuable; their names, positions, and dignity must be protected. Also, respect must be shown for the symbols and sanctities of all components, and security forces must professionally carry out their duty to protect everyone without discrimination,” he said in a statement.
He added that everyone should be free to campaign, but they should avoid spreading “hatred and malice.”
Rival political parties often have targeted women candidates in previous elections. Women have faced intense personal and professional scrutiny that has included the dissemination of doctored videos, a tactic to publicly shame them, undermine their credibility, and distract from their political messages.
