Iraqi Constitution:

On July 19, women leaders across Iraq—from Baghdad to Basra—from all segments of society—teachers, non-governmental organizations, mothers, housewives— organized a sit-in at Al-Ferdaws to protest the draft constitution.

The draft constitution currently prepared by a constitutional drafting committee reverses the gains women have made in the last eighteen months. It acknowledges equal rights of women as long as these rights “do not contradict Shari’a law,” and guarantees political participation for transitional elections, rather than permanent provisions for Iraqi political life.

In the first of a series of sit-ins, the women met with the drafting sub-committee on the Chapter of Rights, Duties and Liberties to state that women are key to building a viable democracy in Iraq, and should unequivocally be included in the constitution. Among the many issues discussed, women lobbied for at least 40 percent of inclusion in all decision making positions, and demanded the sub-committee write a civic constitution for all Iraqis without any discrimination.

Believing that the current constitutional draft scheduled for a national referendum on October 15 undermines women’s participation, the women are requesting swift action from the Iraqi president and prime minister, as well as support from international parties including the United Nations, the United States, and the United Kingdom.