PROMINENT WOMEN'S RIGHTS ACTIVIST POSITIVE ABOUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001925 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2016 TAGS: PGOV KWMN PHUM IZ SUBJECT: PROMINENT WOMEN'S RIGHTS ACTIVIST POSITIVE ABOUT NEW MINISTER OF STATE FOR WOMEN'S AFFAIRS Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR MARGARET SCOBEY, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. On June 5, prominent Iraqi women's rights activist Dr. Sundus Abbas told Poloff that Minister of State for Women's Affairs Faten Abd al-Rahman seemed receptive to working with the NGO community. Dr. Abbas expressed cautious optimism about the direction the ministry would take under Abd al-Rahman's leadership. She also outlined her ideas for upcoming collaborative projects. END SUMMARY. -------------- -------------- "She is not Azhar, but... we can work with her!" -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Dr. Sundus Abbas, the Director of the Women Leaders Institute and a frequent guest on Al Sharqiyah and Al Iraqiyya television programs, told PolOff that she was the first person to meet with new Minister of State for Women's Affairs Faten Abd al-Rahman (Iraqi Islamic Party) after her appointment. Abbas said that Abd al-Rahman was friendly and personable during the meeting, and expressed interest in future cooperation. A friend of former Minister Azhar al-Sheikhly, Abbas said "of course, she is not Azhar, but I definitely think we can work with her!" ¶3. (C) In fact, Abbas said, Abd al-Rahman's relative professional weakness and lack of experience could present an opportunity for liberal, secular Iraqi women to help shape the ministry's agenda. She noted that the more support Abd al-Rahman gets from outside of her party, the less she will have to rely on those within the party, and the more influence she will gain with IIP leaders. "It is only a matter of showing (Abd al-Rahman) that support can come from others, not only political parties," Abbas said. -------------- -- Suggestions for Joint Projects and Cooperation -------------- -- ¶4. (C) Abbas suggested that the Minister's first official project should be a television program bringing together women from all different backgrounds to discuss women's rights and mutual respect. She noted that the recent upsurge in threats, intimidation and violence against women, and Islamist social pressures (for example, to wear the hijab), was dividing women along sectarian lines and damaging support for women's rights. To counter this trend, Abbas proposed a program where women of all faiths and traditions (covered and uncovered) could talk frankly about their personal choices, agreeing to disagree, and promoting tolerance and mutual respect. She noted that she could organize such a program without Abd al-Rahman, but said that the message would be stronger with government involvement. "The people have to see that the government is committed to women," she said. Abbas said she discussed this idea with Abd al-Rahman in their meeting, and plans to follow up on it again with the Minister later this month. ¶5. (C) Abbas told PolOff about a longer term project she intended to pursue, although she admitted that she had not discussed the idea with Abd al-Rahman as "she still needs time to settle in." Abbas envisions the creation of a women's caucus, to be comprised of approximately 20 women ministers, parliamentarians and prominent activists/NGO directors. The caucus would meet regularly, most likely on a monthly basis, to monitor and discuss developments and programs affecting women's rights. She admitted that only about 10 of the members would actually be active, but said that the others would still play key roles in approaching various parties, ministries, etc. and advocating the group's platform. Abbas suggested installing Abd al-Rahman as the organization's chair, an effort she believed would help her gain credibility and raise her profile. She commented that Iraqi ministers "should not be constantly coming and going to Washington," and said that it was time for Iraqis to start organizing and advocating their own agendas. "Let us do it!" she declared. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) PolOff regularly meets with women activists and NGO directors, but Abbas is one of the most impressive to date. A PhD in Political Science, she does not appear to harbor political aspirations. She also appears perfectly comfortable to do work for which others will ultimately receive credit, as long as it advances her organization's goals. Her plans for the women's caucus were well thought BAGHDAD 00001925 002 OF 002 out, and she noted she had already met with representatives from Dawa, SCIRI, IIP, Fadhila and Sadr Trend political parties to discuss the project. Abbas's optimistic but professional approach to working with the Ministry of State for Women's Affairs, along with her excellent interpersonal skills and connections, could be a huge asset to Abd al-Rahman if she agrees to work with her. KHALILZAD