UNION OF KURDISTAN WOMEN IN SULAIMANIYAH

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 001339 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KWMN IZ SUBJECT: UNION OF KURDISTAN WOMEN IN SULAIMANIYAH This is a Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT) Cable. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. The head of the Zhinan Union of Kurdistan Women (ZUKW) told PRTOff that her organization supports the rights of Kurds to self-determination and freedom and the opportunity for women to exercise a broad range of civic and legal rights. ZUKW, which operates at both the regional and national level, is supported by Iraqi public and international agencies. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) On March 29, RRT Officer Mergy met with Kafia Suleiman, Founding Member and Head of the ZUKW, as well as Shawbo Askari, Public Relations Officer of ZUKW in their offices in Sulaimaniyah. The two ZUKW members said the organization had been successful in amending legislation to enhance women's rights, citing changes that no longer allow for reduced sentences for so-called "honor killings. "On July 16, 2005, the ZUKW submitted modifications for the draft Iraqi constitution to protect the rights of women. However, ZUKW members note they have recently submitted additional amendments to be considered during constitutional review, for which they have not received feedback. The second wave of recommendations is focused on adding an article to the introduction of the constitution to clarify that all articles apply to women, not just 14, 18, 20. In addition, ZUKW proposed changes or deletions of the following articles: 2, 3, 4, 13, 29, 39, 40, 43, 44, and 71. ¶3. (SBU) Suleiman and Askari explained that the ZUKW advocates peaceful means for conflict resolutions and prohibition on the use of weapons of mass destruction and of land mines. They said that since 1989 the ZUKW has run a shelter for women that houses six to ten women on a regular basis. The ZUKW also raises awareness of women with respect to medical issues and treatment as well as legal rights and sources of legal advice. ZUKW has a wide range of programs designed to develop the role of women in education, art, health, and business, the two ZUKW members noted one project involves providing financial assistance to households headed by women in Koysinjaq so they can keep their honeycombs and livestock important sources of income, rather than selling them for food.. ¶4. (SBU) According to Suleiman and Askari, ZUKW has about 50,000 members. The Union is open to all women regardless of political affiliation. It receives funding from Iraqi government sources, the UN and the UK government. In addition, Jalal Talabani, Secretary General of the PUK and the President of Iraq, also provides support for ZUKW. A new office building of the ZUKW in Sulaimaniyah is under construction and will include a guest house, handicraft area, sports facilities, media and printing facilities, and a nursery. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE ¶4. (SBU) Kafia Suleiman is the wife of Omar Fatah, Deputy Prime Minister for the Kurdistan Regional Government. She holds a physics degree from the Baghdad University. From 1970 to 1985, Suleiman was a high school teacher. From 1985 to 1991, she was an active member of the Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga (military) force. During the period 1992-1999, Suleiman was the Minister of Municipality in Sulaimaniyah Province (PUK) when Kosrat Rasoul was the Prime Minister of the KRG. In 1989, she founded the Kurdistan Union of Women - Zhinan and remains active in the Union. She is a close colleague and friend of the Talabani family, in particular, Hero Talabani, the wife of Jalal Talabani, with whom she founded the ZUKW.