Women and Gender in the Middle East

Independent Women’s organization (IWO) was formed on 8th of March 1992 in North of Iraq with the efforts of volunteering individuals. Since then, women sheltering services began to be provided. These include armed protection, safe dwelling and legal services.

Founded in 2003, WRO is a non-profit, non-government and independent organization dedicated to working towards the protection and advancement of all members of societies across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI).

This gender profile highlights the status of women’s rights in Iraq and describes the needs, challenges and opportunities in relation to each of its thematic sections: an analysis of the national framework and policy; women’s leadership and political participation, including the Women, Peace and Security Agenda; women in the economy; violence against women and girls (VAWG); health services, including maternal health; women’s access to justice; social status; and access to ICT and information.

UNFPA is the United Nations reproductive health agency. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.