On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we reaffirm our full support for the struggle, freedom, and the rights of women. We continue our efforts to further protect the rights of women, and to create a community in which women are free and equal and do not face threats of violence or murder, under any pretext. A free, peaceful and civilly developed community will not be established unless all women are free.

On this day, we reiterate that we will fight against all sorts of violence, assaults, and breaches of women’s rights and freedoms as we will continue to work against extremism and will provide better opportunities for women’s participation in political and administrative fields in the Kurdistan Region. We are cooperating with the relevant governmental and international institutions to protect women from harassment and violence of any kind, within their families, workplaces, and other public spaces.

Tribute to all the women, parties, and organizations who struggle daily to achieve freedom, peace and their rights. We salute the victims of violence against women and all the women who strive for freedom and peace. Wherever they are in the world, we honor them with respect and dignity.

Nechirvan Barzani
President of the Kurdistan Region