Advocating equality: Gender mainstreaming in societal peacebuilding at the local level in Iraq

July 1, 2021

Photo: FBA Training, 2021.

For sustainable change to occur, a gender perspective must be considered at every level of society. From 15 to 17 June 2021, UNDP Iraq, in partnership with Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) and Al-Tahreer Association for Development (TAD), trained 21 representatives of Community-Based Organizations on gender mainstreaming during the design of community peace initiatives. Participants attended from Diyala, Ninewa, Salah al-Din, Kirkuk, Anbar and Erbil governorates.

The training included in-depth discussion on the concept of gender, how conflict impacts the lives of men and women differently, national and international policy frameworks on gender, and organizational structures to support gender mainstreaming. FBA staff presented on-line from Sweden, while consultant Ilham Makki provided in-person facilitation.

According to Taleb Sobeh, Project Manager for Iraq at Folke Bernadotte Academy, “The community-based organizations are essential when it comes to institutionalizing and applying tools to promote gender equal social cohesion processes. They are the ones who know their own communities, and they are the ones who can implement this perspective on a local level.”

Ilham, a teacher and facilitator of the sessions by Folke Bernadotte Academy, is herself an example of how women must overcome odds to succeed in an environment less than conducive to female empowerment. She describes gender mainstreaming as seeing men and women active in every situation, and having their voices heard.

“I am from a very poor family. This was my life calling, not a decision. I grew up in a family that didn’t expect that a girl would be something. In Iraq, you don’t get to wake up in the morning and ask yourself what you want to be when you grow up.”

Naghan, from Ninewa, works with non-governmental organization Wasel Tasel and maintains that organizations need to know more about women to understand how they can be more effective in their communities.

“When we talk about women, we talk about half of the community, so it is very important that women know their roles and responsibilities, and men too. Men need to know how important it is to engage women in peacebuilding so that a balance can be achieved, which reflects positively on the local community in Iraq.”

Omar, from Anbar, works with Al-Haq Foundation for Human Rights, and notes that conflict in Iraq is reflected most on marginalized groups.

“The reintegration of these groups, the effort to heal them, is still not enough yet. As a result, we as civic activists, need to contribute more to make sure that the society heals from the conflict and that all people are living in peace.”

Mohammed, from Kirkuk, works with non-governmental organization Al-Ghad League for Women and Child Care and explains the importance of including gender considerations when considering beneficiaries during proposal writing.

“Because we have a gap in this sector, our targeted areas need to be aware about gender mainstreaming and what it means.”

UNDP Iraq has launched in 2020 a dedicated 5-year Social Cohesion Programme to promote stronger, peaceful, and more cohesive communities in all areas of Iraq. In May 2021, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between UNDP Iraq and Folke Bernadotte Academy to enhance local capacities for peacebuilding in Iraq with concentration on gender mainstreaming in peacebuilding.