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Kurdistan PM’s speech at presentation of
Women’s Rights Award
27.11.2007
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November 27, 2007
Erbil-Hewler, Kurdistan Region, 'Iraq'
Speech by KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani
Erbil Convention Centre, 25 November 2007
Dear Guests,
Good afternoon and welcome to you all from wherever
you’ve come.
It is my pleasure and privilege to be here with you
today. I welcome you all to this special occasion. I
would like to warmly welcome the French and Swedish
ambassadors to Iraq, UN agency representatives and
international and local NGOs. I thank you all for
your participation and for the important work you
are doing in Kurdistan.
In the last two years, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
has made remarkable progress. The political parties
of our Region have united to create a government of
unity to serve our people. Our economic sector has
experienced rapid progress under the policies of the
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). |
Nechirvan Barzani (L), Prime
Minister of
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) at presentation
of Women’s Rights Award |
The KRG is working to
ensure that local and foreign companies feel secure
enough to start their own businesses and participate
in strengthening the economy of our region. Today
the Kurdistan Region is the only part of Iraq that
works in this way.
But in order to be truly strong and prosperous we
must not focus only on our economy. We must pay
attention to other phenomena and characteristics of
our society. Our cultural and social attitudes must
evolve as we develop our other sectors.
There are some who believe that government and
society should not discuss these types of issues
openly. I strongly disagree with this view. We are a
democratic society which can handle the stress of
open and public debate on these issues.
We must face our problems and be honest and open
with ourselves and with those around us. We all know
that women are making outstanding progress in
certain areas.
Women play an active role in the executive branch of
our cabinet, in the parliament where they play an
important role in passing legislation and defending
the rights of women.
But we need additional progress in several areas.
Especially in implementing and applying laws. We
have not stopped with these efforts, but have
established a high commission at the government
level for follow-up on these issues which continues
to play an active role.
Here I would like to put forward a few points:
First, we need to develop a culture of respect and
admiration for the role women play in our society:
in our families, in our schools and in professional
fields.
A society which does not respect all of its citizens
cannot be expected to advance. We cannot achieve
full progress using only half of our population,
skills and abilities.
Together we can make big steps towards solutions and
successes.
Second, we must solve the question of violence
against women and so-called honour killings. I
prefer to call these dishonour killings and a
deliberate crime because such deeds bring nothing
but sadness and shame.
Let me be very clear, I see no honour in this crime.
These actions offer nothing beyond a disgrace to our
people and a stain on our character. They are
nothing less than murder and the KRG will not stand
by passively and watch this brutal practice
continue.
The parliament of the Kurdistan Region has passed
laws to combat so-called honour killing. But laws
alone are not effective unless they are implemented
effectively. Parallel to passing laws, there must be
programmes to raise the awareness of this issue at
all levels of society and relevant areas such as the
social, medical, educational and judicial sectors.
www.ekurd.net
We know that our courts prosecute all such crimes
that are brought to their attention. Our judges are
educated and honourable men, I know that they share
my disgust on this issue.
It is the responsibility of our courts and
institutions in dealing with these cases to be at
the level of national and social responsibility.
And the trials should be in accordance with proper
evidence and the severest penalties should be
imposed on those found guilty. But too often and
unfortunately, these crimes are not prosecuted in
courts.
There is a feeling that dishonour killings are a
family matter and that they should be kept within
this context. This is absolutely not true and this
attitude must cease.
And this is where you, the people of the Kurdistan
Region, can and must play a far larger role. It is
up to you to bring these crimes to the courts and to
the attention of the authorities.
You must look at this from a modern perspective and
decide what is right and wrong, to stand up and do
the right thing. You must face those in our society
who condone this activity with courage and without
fear.
I tell you clearly, those who promote such crimes
are unfit to call themselves leaders, they bring
shame on our people.
Here, the respected religious leaders of our Region
can play a leading role in raising awareness in our
society and in helping to implement the law.
I would like to thank all the religious leaders and
especially the Minister of Endowments and Religious
Affairs who has worked assiduously and responded
positively to the KRG’s call. Religious leaders have
played an important role in our social development
in the past, and I hope they will continue their
good works.
Education is key to understanding why the abuse of
women and dishonour killings are so unacceptable.
The KRG works to ensure that men and women, boys and
girls of the new generation are well educated on
this matter.
But education and learning are not done only in
schools, society at large educates our youth and
society must do more and a better job of this.
Third, I believe that civil society institutions and
NGOs can make a great contribution. In fact, I know
that some of them are carrying out excellent and
serious work in this regard.
They interact with the people on a daily basis. And
it is this daily interaction that will make the
greatest change.
I believe that further cooperation between the
government and NGOs can secure better results for
our efforts.
The staff of civil society institutions and activist
in this field must daily reaffirm respect for women.
They must become leading examples and a vanguard to
underline this message in all they do, they can
change society's views.
Fourth, the media too must play a better role. It
must show the important and good work, in all
sectors, that women in our society carry out.
There is no doubt that the media must portray women
in their role as the centre of the family. But it
must also show the valuable role played by women in
the professional work place.
Our television channels, radio stations, newspapers
and magazines must give more attention to developing
programmes and messages which support women and
which show women’s outstanding and unique roles in
society.
Fifth, speaking of women in the workplace, I call
upon Kurdish business leaders and our political
parties and organisations to give women more
responsibility.
Very often I see capable and qualified women
under-tasked in professional life. I am sure that
these women are ready, willing and able to assume
positions of responsibility; we must all give them
the chance to demonstrate their abilities,
experience and talents in order to prove themselves.
We are trying inside the government and the
political parties to give women equal opportunities
and encourage a high level of participation. I call
upon all concerned parties to make this issue a
priority and point for action. www.ekurd.net
We must provide equal chances, opportunities and
support to every segment of society.
But while women occupy important positions in our
workforce, their central family role must not be
underestimated. This is why we have to respect their
time and hard work both inside and outside the
family.
Finally, I call upon women to make themselves heard
on this matter. Speak up about the issues that
matter to you.
As women you must play a central role in developing
and encouraging the attitudes of our society for the
better.
Long-term and lasting change is not imposed, but
comes from within. The KRG is ready to support and
coordinate with you in order to solve these issues
and build an equal society.
Within you all is the power and courage to bring
about change. I urge you to harness your strength
for positive change.
The emancipation of women is a struggle that will
not be achieved tomorrow but needs time and serious
work.
The KRG will support you in your efforts. We will
never be a harmonious society, one that can face the
international community with confidence and
assurance, as long as this illness darkens our
doorstep.
To encourage women to stand up and make themselves
heard, I am announcing today that the KRG will
undertake a full programme of events in celebration
of International Women's Day, commemorated by the
United Nations on March 8th of every year.
I hereby ask our Minister for the Region for Women’s
Affairs to create a working group to plan our
activities for this international day.
As a part of this plan, I would like to ask the
Kurdistan National Assembly to schedule a special
session on the situation of women in our society and
to use March 8th to offer a report to the people on
areas where we can make improvements in our approach
toward women and their rights.
I am proud of what the KRG has achieved with the
help and support of the people of the Kurdistan
Region.
I deem it necessary to thank the continuous efforts
of the Ministry of Interior. The Ministers of
Interior in Erbil and Sulaimaniyah have both been
doing their best and I thank them for the hard work
and follow up on this issue.
Today’s award ceremony is a symbol of the respect we
hold towards all those people working seriously in
this area. I would like to congratulate you for all
these great efforts and achievements.
While today we award specific people, this does not
mean we forget the great efforts of others in this
field. Therefore it is necessary that I pay my
respects and thanks to all those people and NGOs
that are working hard and faithfully to defend this
issue.
I am sure that the women of the Kurdistan Region
have great respect and gratitude for your efforts.
To implement this programme well, we need the
expertise and cooperation of the international
community, friendly countries, and experienced and
talented international NGOs.
Here, I would like to commend and thank the Ministry
of Sports and Youth, and the Minister for Sports and
Youth, for the continuous efforts they make on this
sensitive subject and the progressive approach that
they use.
Once again, I would like to thank you all.
krg org
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