On Thursday, 21 May 2026, a training workshop on “Developing the Capacities of Academic Women in the Field of Human Rights and Women’s Rights” was launched in Baghdad. The workshop was organized by Hammurabi Human Rights Organization in coordination with the John Paul II Foundation and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. It was held at The V Hotel, with the participation of an elite group of female academics, activists, and people interested in women’s rights.
The workshop, which will continue for three days, aims to strengthen the capacities of the participants in the fields of advocacy and defending women’s rights, and to expand their knowledge related to international agreements and resolutions, most notably UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. It also discusses national legislation related to women’s rights and the challenges facing their implementation in practice.
The first day of the workshop included dialogue and interactive sessions covering a number of key topics, most notably the role of women in decision-making and community peacebuilding, mechanisms for implementing Resolution 1325 in Iraq, and discussion of the Yazidi Female Survivors Law as one of the tools of transitional justice and support for women survivors of violations against Iraqi communities, including Yazidis, Christians, Turkmen, and Shabak.
The workshop also discussed women’s stereotypes in education and society, women’s right to health, and the challenges women face in accessing healthcare services, especially in remote areas. Participants also highlighted the importance of teamwork and legal and social advocacy to support women’s rights and empowerment.
The upcoming sessions will focus on the right to education, violence against women, women’s participation in public and political life, and ways to include women’s rights concepts in academic curricula and educational environments to support equality, justice, and human rights.
The workshop uses interactive training methods such as brainstorming, group work, and sharing experiences, aiming to produce practical recommendations that can support the role of Iraqi women in academic, social, and human rights fields.
