Australia supports vulnerable women in Iraq

Australia’s Ambassador to Iraq, Ms Lyndall Sachs PSM, today launched an Australian-funded aid project to help vulnerable women in Iraq. The project, valued at $9 million over three years, will target female headed households in vulnerable communities in four Governorates – Baghdad, Diyala, Basra and Ninewa.

The project will give women the means to generate income through the provision of vocational and technical training. The project will be implemented by the Danish Refugee Council and will support the work of the Ministry of Migration and Displacement, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, and Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
Minister for Women’s Affairs, Ms Ibtihal Al-Zaydi, speaking at the launch welcomed the project and indicated there was a great need to support the estimated 1 million female headed households in Iraq.
Ambassador Sachs stated “The Australian Government places great importance on promoting the rights of women and providing support for women in poverty. Improving women’s opportunities in society will help Iraq’s economic development”.
Ambassador Sachs said much work still needed to be done to remove the barriers that prevent women from maximizing their potential and contribution to the economic and social well-being of their families, communities and society as a whole. “The project will make a positive contribution to improving the lives of women in Iraq” said Ambassador Sachs.

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