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Women Fighting for Peace in Iraq: Filling a Critical Void for the Future of Iraq

Authored by: Raya Barazanji and Kathleen Kuehnast

Categories: Statebuilding
Sub-Categories: Democratization and Political Participation, Political Transitions, Transitional Justice
Country: Iraq
Region: Middle East and North Africa
Year: 2012
Citation: Barazanji, Raya and Kathleen Kuehnast. "Women Fighting for Peace in Iraq: Filling a Critical Void for the Future of Iraq." Journal of International Peace Operations 7, no. 4 (2012): 10-11.

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Executive Summary

This article explores the successes of women-led civil society organizations in Iraq, and highlights the threats these organizations face as a result of the US withdrawal. "AS U.S. troops withdraw from Iraq and the U.S. role transitions from military-led to civilian-led engagement, a number of questions linger about Iraq's governance, stability and security. But of critical importance is how the transition will affect the status of women and vulnerable groups, and how civil society will support the transition. Over the last nine years, the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) has been one of the prime supporters of Iraqi civil society, especially in terms of capacity building and technical assistance provided to women leaders and organizations that work on gender-equity and peacebuilding in Iraq. The Institute's Iraq Priority Grant Program has worked since 2004 to create indigenous institutions that contribute to preventing conflict as well as other programs that offer training in problemsolving and conflict resolution."