Women’s Political Exclusion

June 2, 2006

After several months of tense negotiations, the Iraqi parliament has convened and started to form the new unity government.  In hopes of addressing the raging sectarian violence, leaders are strategizing how to create stability, provide basic services, and establish rule of law.  Unfortunately, women elected to the National Assembly are excluded from these key conversations.  For instance, a parliamentary committee was recently created to investigate security issues in Basra, yet women were not selected to participate.  As the National Assembly begins to discuss the scope of the constitutional reform process, women are key stakeholders and need to be involved. 

In an environment of extreme polarization, it is important to have more inclusive decision-making.  Women parliamentarians can be key allies to bolster cooperation between the major political blocs in Iraq.  Evidence gathered from around the world indicates that women have a tremendous impact on negotiations.  They bring an understanding of the roots cause of the conflict, speak effectively about the impact of violence on daily life, and focus on practical issues related to quality of life and human security.  A key component of building a democracy is ensuring women’s full participation in all sectors of society, particularly governance issues.

Please contact the key US and Iraqi policy makers listed below and demand that they put pressure on the relevant Iraqi actors to include women representatives in party negotiations.  The government must be more participatory and consultative to enable all elected officials, including women, to provide input on policy-decisions. 

US Department of State –

Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State
US Department of State
Tel: 202-647-9572
Fax: 202-647-2283

Ambassador Shirin Tahir-Kheli
Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State on Women’s Empowerment
US Department of State
Tel: 202-647-7282
Fax: 202-647-7288
Email: tahir-khelis@state.gov

Paula Dobriansky
Under Secretary for Global Affairs
US Department of State
Tel: 202-647-6240
Fax: 202.647.0753
Email: nelsonDJ2@state.gov
Address: 2201 C Street NW, Room 7250
Washington, DC 20520

Nicholas Burns
Under Secretary for Political Affairs
Office of Political Affairs
US Department of State
Tel: 202-647-1598
Fax: 202.647.4780
Email: landersLS2@state.gov
Address: 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Room 7240
Washington, DC 20522

Elizabeth Cheney
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary
Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs
Department of State
Tel: 202-647-7207
Fax: 202-736-4462
Address: Harry S Truman Building
1000 Wilson Boulevard, Room 6242
Washington, DC 20522

C. David Welch
Deputy Assistant Secretary
Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs
US Department of State
Tel: 202-647-7209
Fax: 202-736-4426
Address: Harry S. Truman Building
1000 Wilson Boulevard, Room 6242
Washington, DC 20520

Ambassador Robin Raphel
Iraq Reconstruction Coordinator
Office of Reconstruction for Iraq
Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs
US Department of State
Tel: 202-647-6355
Fax: 202.647.4808
Email: raphelrl@state.gov
Address: 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Room 6247
Washington, DC 20522

National Security Council –