Regional Studies Center

Regional Studies Center at the University of Mosul, as part of the activities of its Women’s Affairs Committee and in cooperation with the Women’s Affairs Unit at the University Presidency, organized a cultural awareness seminar entitled: “Women and Elections: Opportunities and Challenges”. The event was held on Monday, September 15, 2025, within the framework of implementing the Third National Action Plan for Women, Peace, and Security – (Cultural Awareness Pillar). The seminar was presented by Assistant Lecturer Ala Mumtaz Ismail, Head of the Women’s Affairs Committee at the center, and attended by the center’s staff.

The seminar aimed to highlight the importance of Iraqi women’s participation in parliamentary elections as a key step in building an inclusive democratic state. The speaker emphasized that strengthening electoral awareness, providing institutional and community support, and addressing political and cultural barriers are essential to empowering women to play an effective role in the electoral process. She stressed that a woman’s vote is not merely a number in the ballot box, but a conscious and free expression of will that contributes to decision-making and shaping the country’s future.

In conclusion, the seminar underscored that women’s participation in elections is a genuine investment in building a fair and balanced society, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal (5) on gender equality and Goal (16) on peace, justice, and strong institutions, in addition to its direct connection with broader goals promoting social justice, community participation, and inclusive development.