MINISTER OF WOMEN'S AFFAIRS SEEKS AREAS OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000737

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2026
TAGS: PGOV KWMN PHUM IZ
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF WOMEN'S AFFAIRS SEEKS AREAS OF
CROSS-SECTARIAN COOPERATION

REF: 05 BAGHDAD 04731

Classified By: Political Counselor Robert S. Ford for reasons 1.4 (B) a
nd (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY. On March 1, PolOff met with Minister of State
for Women's Affairs Dr. Azhar Al-Sheikhly. Sheikhly was
cautiously optimistic that her proposal to elevate the status
of her Ministry would be approved in the new Council of
Representatives. She repeated her dismay at the final
version of the constitution, lamenting that the document "is
taking women backwards." However, she noted that the
document reflected the reality that it was written by elected
Islamists. She said she believes that changes in society
will eventually translate into amendments to the
constitution. She highlighted the need to focus in the
meantime on issues that unite women, such as political
participation, education, employment and healthcare. END
SUMMARY.


2. (C) Sheikhly's proposal to elevate her Ministry to full
Ministry status was approved by the Council of Ministers last
year (reftel). However, the issue was tabled and awaits
action by the new Council of Representatives after it
convenes. Although she expressed confidence, based on the
broad support demonstrated for the proposal by the TNA,
Sheikhly expressed frustration with the delay, noting that
she could not hire adequate staff until she had a budget of
her own.


3. (C) Sheikhly was clearly disappointed with the exclusion
of key women's rights provisions in the new Iraqi
Constitution. She was most distressed by the prominent role
of Islamic Sharia law throughout the document, but noted that
the document had to reflect the reality that it was written
by elected Islamists. Sheikhly stated, "either we will
accept the democratic process and elections or we will
contradict ourselves." She predicted that as Iraqi society
develops, citizens will support amendments to the
constitution mirroring the changes in society.


4. (C) Sheikhly noted that the constitutional process had
highlighted the need for education on gender issues. While
lobbying TNA members, she said she encountered both
resistance and hostility to any mention of "gender equality,"
with one woman from the constitutional drafting committee
asking, "but how can we cancel the biological differences
between men and women?" Sheikhly noted that this incident
highlights the need for unbiased, basic education on women's
rights concepts. However, she said that attempts to promote
such education are often perceived as advocacy efforts and
are rejected by Islamic conservatives.


5. (C) In an effort to reach the broadest possible audience,
Sheikhly said she focuses on issues that can unite women
across the spectrum ) increased political participation for
women, better education and literacy programs, employment
programs for widows and improved healthcare services.
Sheikhly stressed that she invites women and NGOs from all
political and religious affiliations to participate in her
programs and prides herself on her reputation for neutrality.


6. (C) Sheikhly expressed regret that she was not allowed to
attend the Commission on the Status of Women this year.
Although she did not directly accuse Jafari, she implied that
she interpreted denial of permission for this trip as
retaliation for her previously traveling to the U.S. without
the Prime Minister's permission. PolOff mentioned the
upcoming US-Arab Economic Forum. Sheikhly said that she
hopes to attend and "may be in a better position to travel"
at that time.


7. (C) COMMENT: Minister Sheikhly seemed more pessimistic
than in previous meetings (reftel). It was clear from her
remarks that she does not anticipate retaining her position
once the new government has formed. We will continue to
underscore with her, her successor and other Iraqi Government
leaders that the USG effort to promote women's rights in Iraq
-- as demonstrated during the constitution drafting period --
remains a priority for us.
END COMMENT.
KHALILZAD