ZOUHOUR MECHERGUI

 Amed (Diyarbakır)- Newroz was celebrated in many cities, especially in Kurdish cities. Many people such as politicians, activists and journalists from Europe, the Middle East and four parts of Kurdistan joined the Newroz celebration in Amed. Iraqi activist Azhar al-Junouri was one of them.

“I decided to attend the Newroz celebration to support the struggle of the Kurdish people, especially Kurdish women, and to show my solidarity,” she told us.

Joint struggle and resistance

“As women, we must carry out a joint struggle and resistance because women face similar problems all around the world, Azhar al-Jubouri said, expressing her great admiration for the Kurdish women’s struggle for their rights and peace and their courageous resistance against oppressive regimes.

“Despite the efforts to create chaos, the ongoing resistance of Kurdish women continues to be an inspiring model for women's movements.”

Co-presidential system

Azhar al-Jubouri also talked about the co-presidential system operated by the Kurdish people. “The Kurdish women's movement has achieved equality through socialism and the co-presidential system. This system protects women’s rights and gender equality.”

Women's rights and legal threats in Iraq

On February 13, 2025, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid ratified three controversial laws; the General Amnesty Law, the Return of Property to Owners Law, and amendments to the Personal Status Law. The amended personal status law gives Islamic courts increased authority over family issues, including marriage, divorce and inheritance, and allows clerics to rule according to their interpretation of Islamic law.

“The amended personal status law allows the marriage of 9-year-old girls and this poses a serious threat to women's rights and children's rights,” Azhar al-Jubouri said, stressing the inequality that women and girls face in Iraq.

‘Women’s participation in decision-making positions has decreased in Iraq’

Azhar al-Jubouri drew attention to violence and discrimination faced by women in Iraq. “The problems faced by women in the Middle East are similar but their solutions can differ. Women play important roles in the parliament; however, women’s participation in decision-making positions has recently decreased in Iraq. In the last elections, the rate of women’s participation in parliament reached 30%; however, this rate is insufficient. More women must participate in politics.”

Inspiring struggle of Kurdish women

Azhar al-Jubouri is inspired by the experiences of “Kurdish women who never give up their struggle despite all the attacks. They participate in decision-making positions. The gains achieved by Kurdish women in politics and social life serve as a model for other women’s movements. Struggle is a must against obstacles faced by women. As women, we must combine our resistance methods and unite to struggle against the patriarchy.”