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IF Holds Roundtable Discussion Meeting with Iraqi MP Samira Al Musawi

On March 30, 2007, the Iraq Foundation held a roundtable discussion meeting with Ms. Samira Al-Musawi, Member of Iraq’s Parliament and Chair of the Committee for Women, Children, and Family.

The discussion focused on the current struggle of Iraqi women, the growing number of widows, and education and social programs designed to help and empower Iraqi women.

MP Samira Al Musawi's Remarks:

Peace be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings.

We come to you from the land of civilization, history; we bring the greetings of the people of Iraq to the American people. We are a peace-loving people. And, our cultural civilization from the time of Sumer and Babylon to the Arab Islamic civilization in Baghdad has been witness to those bright eras.

We were subject to many years of injustice at the hands of totalitarian regimes and military coups, and the adventures of the former regime in his attacks on the international community and regional states, adventures in which the Iraqi people were also victims.

After the fall of the tyrant, the Iraqi people started breathing the air of freedom and began establishing a fledgling democracy in their country. In spite of all the challenges and the security situation, the public interaction with democracy was amazing and significant, considering our history and culture. Women, men and the infirm came out to vote in two of the most important free elections, and came out again at the referendum carnival to vote on the permanent constitution by 78%.

Over the three stages of electoral process, the Iraqi woman registered her distinguished presence. She participated by voting and standing for office and received respectable percentages in the Parliament and the Cabinet.

Today, we in the Committee of Women, Family and Children in Iraq call for the acceptance of qualified females into the government agencies, according to their qualifications and expertise. Returning to the board popular participation in supporting the new democratic experiment in Iraq, which is unparalleled in the world and in such difficult circumstances, reflects the people’s will and sincere desire to be governed by the rule of law, democracy, freedom of opinion, respect for privacy and the constitution.

As women are taking on increased roles in government, there is a tragic social reality in Iraq that will have an enormous impact on the future of Iraq and the country’s stability. There are over 3 million widows and over 3 million orphans in Iraq . And these numbers are increasing daily due to the terrorism and crimes. These women and children often live in extreme poverty.

Iraq and the Committee of Women, Family and Children need help drafting a social welfare law that will support widows and orphans. America has deep experience in drafting laws and setting up programs to help women and families and the poor. Iraq needs help not just in drafting the law but learning how to implement the law as well. We want the law to focus on financial and social support, welfare, free vocational training, and education so that these women and orphans can become independent. They can earn salaries and care for themselves and their children. This independence will bring more freedom and prosperity to women in Iraq and will directly affect the future of Iraqi society.

This support of women and Iraqi society may be a lightning rod for all third world countries, generally, and the Middle East, in particular-- so that Iraq may be an essential player in the humanitarian system and the global front against terrorism and extremism.

We thank all the friends who stood with the people of Iraq and his free will, and we highly appreciate their sacrifices and efforts. We wish them to always be with us in the consolidation of democratic values, peaceful co-existence, the building of the rule of law and the respect of the individual’s right to live in peace and prosperity.

This popular will is being continuously targeted by global terrorism, with Al-Qaeda and others, and the remnants of the ousted regime, the murderers of the Iraqi people, attempting to discourage the people by using barbaric violence that has hit markets, universities, schools and houses of worship, the streets, and state institutions and infrastructure. They make continued attempts to undermine the unity of the Iraqis through sectarian and ethnic sedition between Arabs and Kurds, between the Muslims and Christians, and between minorities and between the Shiites and Sunnis and between Sunnis and Sunnis. And, they incite this discord by using the dirtiest and most destructive weapons, such as poisonous chlorine gas in Fallujah and Ramadi areas, and in the areas of Al Bai’aa and Taji.

May Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be with you

Samira Jafar Al-Musawi, head of the Committee on Women, Family and Children, Member of the Iraqi Parliament.