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.