Gender-Based Violence: Women’s Safety in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Abstract

Violence and discrimination against women often originate from entrenched traditions and tribal mentalities, relegating women to subordinate roles within families and society. In many social spheres, boys and men are granted dominance over women. This paper aims to fulfill another aspect of CEDAW’s requirements. CEDAW demands that States parties undertake necessary legal and policy measures to ensure women’s equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. To achieve this goal, CEDAW draws attention to specific fields for State Parties to address. This paper involves conducting surveys to assess the policy measures taken by the Kurdistan Region as key steps toward eliminating violence against women in line with CEDAW requirements. Accordingly, this paper discusses and analyzes questionnaire findings, identifying inadequately addressed issues. It also highlights CEDAW Committee Recommendations, providing further support to the study's findings. By conducting these studies, I aim to contribute to existing knowledge on preventing violence against women in the Kurdistan Region. This research offers guidance to legal professionals and politicians interested in achieving gender equality and preventing violence.