Due to the importance of developing women’s leadership at Higher Education, enabling them to participate in the Decision-Making Process, and having effective presence in Committees & Leadership Positions, Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research has adopted programs related to Women Empowerment, in cooperation with Iraqi Universities as well as International Organizations, according to which Women Empowerment Department has been established at the Ministry according to the Ministerial Order No. 14 of 2021, being in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution No. 1325. Accordingly, Women Empowerment Units have been created at all Universities and Formations affiliated with the Ministry as per the Ministerial Order No. 479 issued on 7th June 2021.
In its vision, Women Affairs Division aims to create all possible opportunities that would enable woman to become fully active in the Achievement of Sustainable Development at a Homeland where all her Constitutional Rights are guaranteed, in addition to enabling her to be quite capable of dealing with all types of challenges, and reinforcing her role at all Fields, Economic, Social as well as Political, being fully protected without any discrimination.
In its Mission, Women Affairs Division shall focus on the promotion of women skills & knowledge so as to be Effective Community Members and Efficient Leaders who would participate in Decision-Making, having a prominent role at the formulation as well as activation of any Strategic Issues, and thus meeting the Nation Requirements whether currently or later in the Future.
The Division Objectives can be summarized as follows: 1. Increase of Women Leaders Percentage at the Ministry of Higher Education by mainly focusing on the promotion of Women Competencies & Achievements; 2. Development of Women Scientific Capabilities in the Field of Higher Education through the creation of all possible opportunities in which they would effectively participate at Local and International Conferences; 3. Active Participation of Women in the Economic Development through establishment and support of Entrepreneurial Projects & Technological Incubators; 4. Attainment of Global Community Support as well as Local and International Organizations to contribute in the implementation of United Nation Resolutions related to Women; 5. Increase of Community Awareness regarding Women Status and Rights, with permanent efforts to combat violence against women, and this can be carried out through conduct of more Courses and Research with Specialized Institutions; 6. Improvement of Women Image Quality in the Media at all forms whether printed, audio or visual; 7. Creative and Distinguished Iraqi Women shall be honored and awarded, in addition to producing Documentary Movies in which their Achievements are highly celebrated; 8. Provision of support to Young Female Researchers regarding their Distinguished Projects that would be selected by Specialized Committees; 9. Exerting all possible efforts to integrate the Gender Concept into the Ministry Plans & Programs.