Under the patronage of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, the Advisors and Experts Board along with the Women’s Affairs Directorate at the Presidency of the Republic organized a symposium on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at Al-Salam Palace in Baghdad, titled “The Role of Women in Enhancing Participation in the Upcoming Elections.”
Presidential Advisor Kareem Al-Tamimi emphasized during the event that holding the elections amidst regional and international changes is a matter of great concern to the President, who is keen on ensuring that the elections take place on schedule, with the participation of all components of the Iraqi people, in a transparent and fair manner. He noted that as the guardian of the Constitution, the President stresses the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the elections, protecting voters’ voices, ensuring the peaceful transfer of power, and promoting awareness through media outlets, symposiums, and cultural workshops.
Al-Tamimi further pointed out that the President has held numerous meetings with political forces and the Board of Commissioners of the Independent High Electoral Commission, focusing on guaranteeing the success of this democratic process and taking legal action against those who misuse political money in elections. He highlighted the President’s consistent emphasis on the importance of women’s participation in political life—through voting, candidacy, and contributing to building a comprehensive democratic future.
For her part, the Director of the Women’s Affairs Directorate, Hanaa Emmanuel Korkis, called for addressing the political, social, and economic conditions that hinder women’s participation and success in elections, stressing the need for policies and measures that support women and ensure their success in political life.
The symposium also witnessed notable participation from Al-Farabi University, represented by Assistant Lecturer Heba Mazhar Mahjoub Al-Mashhadani from the Women’s Affairs Department, and Assistant Professor Sahar from the Laboratories Division / Women’s Affairs Department. Their interventions enriched the discussions by highlighting the academic role of Al-Farabi University in empowering women and supporting their engagement in political and social spheres.
The event concluded with extensive discussions on the challenges facing women candidates, the role of media in voter awareness, and the fight against electronic blackmail, with a strong emphasis on the importance of joint efforts between the Presidency of the Republic and academic institutions such as Al-Farabi University to strengthen women’s participation in the upcoming electoral process.
