Kirkuk women demand membership in city councils
04/07/2012 14:38
KIRKUK, July 4 (AKnews)- A group of women activists and representatives gathered today in front of Kirkuk Governorate Office and demanded that women be elected to the city and town councils.
The gathering was organized by Midya Organization for Defending Women and women representatives of cities and towns in Kirkuk.
One year ago women representatives and activists addressed the same demand but there are not any women in the city or town councils so far, said Leyla Qadir Zeynel, Daquq representative.
Zeynel continued Kirkuk Provincial Council and Kirkuk Administration have not given women any clear justification for this; therefore, the rally was organized.
The issue is that Kirkuk governorate officials are not unanimous over allowing women representatives in the local councils whereas there are many competent female candidates, according to Daquq representative.
Galawezh Jabari, a member of Kirkuk Provincial Council, supported the demand by the women activists.
Jabari said the subject was addressed before "but it seems that the political factions believe we do not have women who deserve such posts.
"It seems that men as their usual habit block the way for women to step forward and bring up their competence in administrative posts."
She promised to follow up the case with Kirkuk Council and help in setting a quota for women in the town and city councils.
Jabari was happy with the women's rally today "because the women are demanding this right themselves."
Umed Faruq, a member of Central Kirkuk Council, said that out of the 21 members of his council only one member is female.
He added there are 10 city and town councils in Kirkuk with more than 175 members.
The reason why there are no women in the local councils is that the political entities did not nominate women for membership in the councils, according to Faruq.
By Hazhar Rashid
LL/AKnews
