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.

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"She is not Azhar, but... we can work with her!"
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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.

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Suggestions for Joint Projects and Cooperation
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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.

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Comment
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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

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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