IRAQI WOMEN'S AFFAIRS MINISTER OFF TO A SLOW

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003407

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KWMN IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQI WOMEN'S AFFAIRS MINISTER OFF TO A SLOW
START, BUT HAS POTENTIAL

REF: BAGHDAD 02445

Classified By: Political Counselor Margaret Scobey, reasons 1.4 (B) and
(D).


1. (C) SUMMARY. After three months on the job, little has
changed within the Ministry of State for Women's Affairs
(MOWA) under Minister Fatin Abd al-Rahman. Abd al-Rahman's
personal concerns have largely dominated her time in the
ministry. MOWA Economic Advisor Salam Smeisim said that
Abd al-Rahman's inexperience in government made it
difficult for her to understand the roles of the various
ministry departments. MOWA Legal Advisor Hussain Al-Safy
cited Abd al-Rahman's lack of communication skills as a
source of increased tension within the ministry. GRD/PCO
Project Manager Azza Humadi, however, was enthusiastic
about Abd al-Rahman's potential, citing her youthfulness as
a potential advantage once she has more on-the-job
experience. All appealed for support, noting that the
minister is not yet politically or media saavy. Al-Safy
also detailed ongoing MOWA legal projects, including draft
legislation to elevate the status of the ministry and
Constitutional Review priorities. End Summary.

--------------
Personal Concerns, Differences Hamper Ministry
--------------


2. (C) Personal concerns about housing and access in the
international zone have dominated MOWA Minister Abd al-
Rahman for several months after taking office. In an
August 24 conversation, MOWA Economic Advisor Salam Smeisim
told Poloff that she and Abd al-Rahman held differing views
on women's issues and the role of the ministry. Smeisim,
an Economics PhD holder who has worked at MOWA for two
years, sees the ministry as an advocate of women's rights.
She believes the primary function of the ministry should be
outreach and awareness rather than programming. Smeisim
noted that, as a Ministry of State, there was little budget
for programs. Solicitation of funds from outside
organizations opened the ministry to allegations of
corruption and misuse, so Smeisim advocated providing
support and assistance, with no money changing hands.


3. (C) Smeisim claimed that Abd al-Rahman disagreed with
this vision, preferring to focus her efforts on pushing for
elevation of her ministry to full ministerial status (with
benefits and budget). She said that although she had
briefly discussed ideas to promote economic development and
literacy with the minister, Abd al-Rahman seemed to believe
that Smeisim's job, as Economic Advisor, was to "do the
ministry's books." Smeisim appealed to the Embassy to help
educate the minister on the basic tenets of women's issues
(economic development, education, legal rights, etc.),and
specifically on strategies to boost economic opportunity
for women in Iraq.

--------------
Legal Advisor Appeals for Help
--------------


4. (C) At his request, Poloff met with MOWA Legal Advisor
Hussain Al-Safy on August 17. Al-Safy was clearly nervous
that he had not received permission to meet with us from
the minister, but said that his concerns about the ministry
had prompted him to call. He noted that there were serious
administrative and financial problems within the ministry,
and expressed gratitude for the upcoming DOS training
program as a potential vehicle to address some of the
problems.


5. (C) Al-Safy said that there are currently no plans for
projects that he thought would have impact, and lamented
that the minister had agreed to "three projects in Jordan,
but they are completely useless." He said that he had
proposed approaching international organizations for
funding, and was pleased that the minister had agreed. Al-
Safy met with the IO section at MFA, and together the
ministries are planning to approach UNICEF with some
proposals.


6. (C) According to Al-Safy, there is considerable tension
both between the minister and her staff and between the
minister and the average Iraqi woman. He attributed the
strain to a lack of communication and to the minister's
"non-savvy style." Al-Safy noted that the minister is
intelligent and legitimately concerned about women's
issues. However, she does not communicate well with her
staff and her style is exactly opposite of her predecessor,
who was generally well liked within the ministry.

BAGHDAD 00003407 002 OF 002




7. (C) Al-Safy added that the minister has had little
communication with the public and has not managed to build
the trust of the average Iraqi woman, who sees the minister
as young, inexperienced, and most importantly,
conservative. He stressed the importance of media training
and asked for Poloff's assistance to help raise the
minister's profile.

--------------
Legal Office Busy With Draft Legislation
--------------

8. (C) Despite his complaints about the minister, Al-Safy
noted that the busiest office in the ministry is his own
legal office. He has prepared new draft legislation to
elevate the ministry from a ministry of state to a full
fledged ministry, which he has already sent to MOJ's Shura
Council for approval. Al-Safy said that there was still
some debate about the scope of the bill, as MOWA had
proposed creating a Ministry of Women and Family Affairs,
while the Shura Council preferred the ministry be limited
to women's affairs. Al-Safy has also put together a list
of priorities for the Constitutional Review period,
including reversing limits on women's rights to travel and
work. (COMMENT: Per reftel, post is still unclear as to the
legal basis for requiring a male signature on a female
passport application. While we have interpreted Articles
14 and 44, which include provisions against gender
discrimination, to negate any such law that may remain on
the books, MOWA appears to accept the practice at face
value. This position may lend legitimacy to those who
claim a legal basis for the requirement, and passing
legislation to change it would be difficult. END COMMENT.)


9. (C) When asked about cooperation between the ministry
and the Committee on Women, Families and Children's Affairs
in the COR, Al-Safy confirmed that the chairwoman, Samirah
Al-Mousawi (Shia Independent),had visited the minister and
talked about areas for cooperation. He said that the
committee's priorities and issues were similar to those of
the ministry, and that the two groups agreed to meet
frequently to coordinate activities.

--------------
Project Manager Cites Minister's Potential
--------------


10. (C) Gulf Region Division and Project and Contracting
Office (GRD-PCO) Women's Advocate Initiative Program
Manager Azza Humadi told Poloff on September 5 that she had
high hopes for Abd al-Rahman over the next year. Humadi
acknowledged that the minister had gotten off to a slow
start, but said that she was very bright and would learn
quickly if surrounded by the right people. Humadi noted
that the minister's youthf(she was born in 1973) could
actually work in her favor, enabling her to speak directly
to the younger generation that would be most active in
reconstruction efforts. She pledged to continue to support
Abd al-Rahman, and reported that she was currently
organizing a seminar on businesswoman basics to be
conducted at the ministry.
KHALILZAD