Prime Minister Masrour Barzani leads government efforts to combat violence against women

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) – Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, joined by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, today chaired a meeting on the Kurdistan Regional Government’s efforts to combat violence against women and action to be taken to address worsening trends in the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani affirmed there is no space in Kurdish society for violence against women, and condemned any form of harassment or abuse. Through consultations with government stakeholders, the Prime Minister endorsed stronger measures to eliminate violence against women as key pillar of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s agenda.

As part of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s commitment to protecting and defending women’s rights and combating gender discrimination, Prime Minister Barzani outlined three action areas:

• Support to increase of female representation in the government and decision-making positions;

• Support to increase in job opportunities for women in particular;

• Support to law enforcement agencies and courts in apprehending and prosecuting domestic abusers.

The Prime Minister also called on media agencies in the Kurdistan Region to play a more active role in raising awareness of violence against women and promoting gender equality.