Latest news with #Al-Sulaymaniyah
Shafaq News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Shafaq News
Cultural diversity celebrated as al-Sulaymaniyah festival kicks off
Shafaq News/ Al-Sulaymaniyah lit up Wednesday night as the Festival of Peoples' Cultures launched with a high-energy blend of music, dance, and tradition from across the region. More than 30 artistic troupes from Kurdistan, Iraq, Syria, Turkiye, Jordan, and Palestine filled Hawary Shar Park with street parades and folkloric performances, opening a five-day celebration that runs through May 25 aiming to highlight the cultural diversity that shapes the region. Festival committee member Ibrahim Ahmad credited months of preparation for the scale and quality of the showcase. He also highlighted the city's own performers, who presented traditional dances from Soran and Horaman, capturing the unique rhythm and color of Kurdish heritage. A traditional market featuring handmade crafts and cultural artifacts also drew large crowds. Speaking to Shafaq News, Ahmad noted that the market strengthens cross-border cultural ties and keeps historical traditions alive. 'This is more than just a festival. It's a platform for connection through art.' Now a staple in the city's cultural calendar, the festival has become a symbol of both local pride and regional solidarity. Organizers anticipate thousands of visitors throughout the week, drawn by a lineup that encourages dialogue, appreciation, and shared celebration of identity.
Shafaq News
15-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Al-Sulaymaniyah to host international Delphi Forum Slemani on May 18
Shafaq News/ Al-Sulaymaniyah will host the Delphi Forum Slemani next week, a high-profile international gathering, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced on Thursday. Scheduled for May 18–19, the forum will convene under the supervision of KRG Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani and is co-organized in collaboration with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to a statement from Talabani's office, the forum will draw senior officials, business leaders, and representatives from international institutions across Iraq, Greece, and other countries. Participants will engage in strategic discussions covering regional security, sustainable growth, cross-border investment, and economic cooperation amid the shifting geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. The statement also highlighted the forum's role in strengthening al-Sulaymaniyah's position as 'a gateway between East and West, offering a space for economic diplomacy and collaborative solutions in an increasingly interconnected world.'
Shafaq News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Patriarchal Society: Can Iraq's women break political barriers in 2025?
Shafaq News/ As Iraq prepares for its parliamentary elections scheduled for November 11, 2025, the road to political participation remains fraught with challenges for Iraqi women. Despite a constitutional quota that guarantees women 25% of the seats in parliament, deep-seated societal norms, political exclusion, and legislative loopholes continue to undermine the potential for meaningful representation. Legal Rights vs. Practical Realities On paper, Iraqi women have equal legal footing with men in seeking parliamentary office. The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) confirms that both genders must meet identical eligibility criteria: Iraqi nationality, full legal capacity, a minimum age of 30, and at least a bachelor's degree. Additionally, candidates must have a clean legal record—free of corruption charges or final convictions related to financial misconduct or abuse of public funds. 'The law also prohibits candidacy for anyone still serving in military, security, or judicial positions,' IHEC spokesperson Jumana al-Ghalai told Shafaq News, reiterating the non-discriminatory framework outlined in electoral regulations. However, experts and rights advocates say the practical experience of female candidates tells a different story—one marked by character defamation, digital harassment, and institutional bias. Securing the 25% Quota Under the amended Election Law No. 12 of 2018, women are guaranteed at least 83 of the 329 seats in Iraq's Council of Representatives. These seats are distributed proportionally by province, based on population. Yet the implementation of this quota has done little to shield women from the cultural and political forces arrayed against them. ' Halabja will remain part of Al-Sulaymaniyah's electoral district in the upcoming elections,' said Hassan Hadi Zayer, an IHEC media official. Granting Halabja its own seat requires a legislative amendment—one that has yet to materialize, further reflecting the sluggish pace of electoral reform. IHEC member Saad al-Rawi also pointed out that the latest population census has not been factored into district allocations due to the lack of updated legal mechanisms. Beyond the Ballot: Social and Political Obstacles Many female candidates face persistent societal resistance once they enter the political arena. 'Smear campaigns begin almost immediately after women announce their candidacy,' said Insam Salman, director of the Isen Organization for Human Rights in Iraq, in an interview with Shafaq News. According to Salman, these attacks are often personal and disproportionately affect women who lack tribal protection or backing from influential political parties. 'Iraqi society is still fundamentally patriarchal and views leadership roles as male domains. A woman's political ambition is often seen as a challenge to male authority,' she explained. This gendered hostility not only deters women from entering politics but also erodes their chances of sustaining meaningful political careers. While many women enter parliament under the quota, they are frequently sidelined from leadership roles within parliamentary committees or executive bodies. Salman emphasized that addressing these challenges requires more than symbolic representation, 'We need legislative deterrents to prevent defamation and to protect women in the public sphere. But more importantly, we need a cultural shift that normalizes female leadership.' Structural Imbalance in Lawmaking This exclusion of women has broader implications for governance. Political analyst Nawal al-Moussawi told Shafaq News that Iraq's legislative process continues to suffer from gender and social imbalances, particularly in laws intended to protect women, children, and marginalized communities. 'There's a deep-rooted distortion in how laws are crafted and who benefits from them,' she said. 'Dominant political blocs often push legislation that reflects narrow ideological interests, sidelining issues that affect half the population.' Al-Moussawi cited repeated attempts to amend the Personal Status Law—a key legal framework governing marriage, divorce, and inheritance—as examples of how conservative forces have attempted to roll back women's rights under the guise of legal reform. Describing the current (fifth) parliamentary session as 'a clear failure,' she warned that public confidence in democratic institutions is waning. 'There is growing disillusionment among civil society actors and ordinary citizens. If nothing changes, we risk repeating this failure in the next term—or perhaps something worse.' With elections drawing near, the conversation around women's political participation has gained urgency. Yet for many advocates, the 25% quota is no longer seen as a sufficient benchmark. Experts stress that fostering inclusive governance requires both institutional reform and societal transformation.
Shafaq News
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Al-Sulaymaniyah celebrates Women's Day: 55 Journalists honoured
Shafaq News/ On Saturday, Al-Sulaymaniyah marked the International Women's Day with a series of meaningful events, emphasizing the critical importance of women's rights, gender equality, and the ongoing battle against violence and marginalization. One of the central highlights of the day took place at the Institute of International Law, where 55 female journalists were honoured for their invaluable contributions to media and journalism. This recognition, attended by members of the Iraqi parliament, the Kurdistan Region's legislature, and representatives from various international organizations, underscored the vital role that women play in shaping public discourse and promoting freedom of expression. Bashdar Hassan, head of the Institute, delivered a powerful address during the ceremony, stressing the importance of providing female journalists with a safer and more supportive work environment. He acknowledged the challenges that women in journalism continue to face and noted that similar recognition events would be held across the Kurdistan Region in the coming weeks, demonstrating a regional commitment to advancing women's representation in journalism. 'Today's event is not just a celebration of women's achievements in journalism; it is a pledge to foster a more inclusive and balanced media landscape,' said Hassan, highlighting the importance of continued efforts to create a more equitable working environment for women. Women's rights activist Kzhall Abdulqader also participated in the day's events, emphasizing the importance of an informed and empowered female population to build a healthier society. She praised the progress women in the Kurdistan Region have made in overcoming political barriers and becoming more active in community and public work. Abdulqader framed March 8 not just as a celebration, but as a call to action. 'This day is not only a celebration; it is a call for change,' she said, paying tribute to prominent Kurdish women, such as Habsah Khan Naqeeb, Qadam Khair, and Khanzad, who have made significant sacrifices for the advancement of women's rights. However, Abdulqader also highlighted the persistent political and social obstacles women face, particularly within political parties where women's empowerment is often stifled by party agendas. 'A free and independent woman is the foundation of real change,' she declared, urging the need for greater autonomy for women in all sectors of society. In addition, Abdulqader raised concerns about the rising rates of violence against women in the Kurdistan Region. She pointed to the troubling statistic that eight women, aged between 18 and 50, have been killed this year, with no justice served. She expressed frustration with women's organizations that, despite receiving substantial funding, have not taken sufficient action to address these pressing issues. About This Day International Women's Day has its origins in the labour movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The first major protests took place in 1857 when textile workers in New York demanded better working conditions. Though these demonstrations were met with violent repression, they marked a critical turning point in the fight for women's rights. In 1908, another women-led strike in New York further solidified March 8 as an important date in the ongoing struggle for gender equality. For the people of Kurdistan, International Women's Day carries particularly deep significance. It serves as a reminder of the countless sacrifices made by women in politics, resistance, and beyond. Despite the challenges that persist, the demand for women's rights and gender equality continues to gain strength across the region.
