KRG Delegation meets with UK Prime Minister's Representative for Gender Equality

Erbil, Kurdistan Region (GOV.KRD) - KRG Coordinator for International Advocacy, Dr.Dindar Zebari with Khanzad Ahmad, the Head of High Council of Women Development met with Alicia Herbert, the UK Prime Minister's Representative for Gender Equality on the sidelines of the International Conference of Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) in London.

The KRG Coordinator stressed that KRG deals with honor-killing as a crime that is not mitigatable by any excuse. The Parliament of Kurdistan issued Law No 3 (2015) suspending the provisions of Art 40 of the Iraqi Penal Code, which is to reduce the penalty for whoever kills his wife or one of his female relatives or assaults them if they are surprised by adultery or bedding. 

Contrary to the national legislations - which are lenient on the men who commit murder under the pretext of cleaning their honor - the laws in place in the Kurdistan Region identify honor-killings as deliberate murder and, hence, heavy punitive measures i.e. life sentence is imposed on the perpetrators.

Dr. Khanzad Ahmad explained that the Women's Council has developed a ten-year plan (2017-2027) and is currently coordinating with parliament to pass new laws and amend existing laws. She added that the KRG has prepared an action plan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and submitted it to the Council of Ministers through the Ministry of Interior. Meanwhile, the Women's Council has introduced the plan to all foreign consulates and envoys in the Kurdistan Region.

The UK Prime Minister's Representative for Gender Equality commended KRG’s efforts in promoting gender equality. Both sides reaffirmed partnership and collaboration.