The Situation: In late 2011, sectarian violence escalated and dozens of people were killed. The Iraqi Parliament failed to respond. Model Iraqi Women Organization (MIWO) requested funds to launch an “Iraqi Women for Peace” campaign.
The Rapid Response: The organizers of the Iraqi Women for Peace campaign met with hundreds of women activists from various backgrounds across the country, as well as female members of Provincial Councils, to create a strategy for increasing women’s political participation. Urgent Action Fund support was used for activist security, travel to rural areas, newspaper articles, phone lines, and print materials including banners and brochures to promote the peace campaign.
The Impact: A request is currently before parliament to increase the number of women in government.
