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    Summary of country programme

    UN Women Iraq’s 2025–2029 programme supports national efforts to advance women’s rights and empowerment across federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, in the face of ongoing political, economic, and social challenges.  

    The programme aligns with the Women, Peace and Security agenda under Iraq’s National Action Plan for UNSCR 1325. It focuses on empowering the most disadvantaged women—including internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, rural women, and women with disabilities—through initiatives that promote social cohesion, protection, and sustainable livelihoods.

    UN Women also supports survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, contributes to rebuilding communities, and strengthens women’s political participation and representation. Economic empowerment is a key pillar, with efforts deepening to advance economic empowerment and create decent employment opportunities for women.

    Strong partnerships with UN agencies, government institutions (such as the National Directorate for Iraqi Women and the High Council for Women and Development), civil society, and bi-later partners including Finland, Germany, and Japan enhance the programme’s reach and impact.  

    Other resources (non-core)
    Country Indexes

    UN Women in action: Strategic insights and achievements

    View annual report narratives for the year

    Advancing SDGs: UN Women's impact and key achievements
    UN Women Iraq’s most significant progress in 2024 was strengthening partnerships with the Government of Iraq to stabilize and drive gender equality and inclusive governance. By overcoming challenges in coordination and fostering trust with key government entities, UN Women established a solid foundation for collaborative efforts toward achieving SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Strengthened partnerships with the National Directorate for Iraqi Women (NDIW) in Baghdad and enhanced collaboration with other national counterparts ensured more effective support for institutional frameworks promoting women’s empowerment.
    Iraq developed its third National Action Plan (INAP III) on Women, Peace, and Security. This plan integrated lessons learned from previous plans and enhanced coordination mechanisms. UN Women supported the development of the INAP III by supporting consultations around the development of the new INAP III. This support included contracting a consultant under NDIW, who worked closely with line ministries and stakeholders to draft the initial version. As part of this process, the consultant conducted meetings and stakeholder interviews to gather information and populate the INAP draft. This was followed by broader consultations with the government, civil society organizations, and line ministries to refine and finalize the INAP III.
    Through Women Peace and Security support on peacebuilding, women in Iraq could join the country’s first National Women’s Mediators Network. Through the Network, women gained conflict resolution skills to actively participate in national and local peace processes.
    These achievements were complemented by initiatives that reinforced gender equality advocacy and institutional capacity. UN Women facilitated key events, including International Women’s Day and the 16 Days of Activism, amplifying awareness on critical issues affecting women and girls. UN Women also continued its leadership role in coordinating gender-responsive governance through workshops, consultations, and operational support to key government initiatives.
    By stabilizing and strengthening partnerships, addressing challenges, and aligning national priorities with international frameworks, UN Women laid a robust foundation for sustained progress in advancing gender equality and inclusive governance in Iraq
    Advancing SDGs: UN Women's impact and key achievements
    In 2023, UN Women's programming and impact was evident in a number of propogrammes and activities, including WPP, WEE, WPS and EVAW. Through this programing which included economic and social empowerment of vulnerable women and girls, UN Women's work directly contributed to SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
    On the 18th of December 2023, Iraq held provincial council elections, amidst ongoing challenges and political instability between established political class and groups seeking to challenge. Provincial council elections hold extraordinary power in Iraq as such councils wield financial legislative and executive powers in their localities, especially given the fact that they are not subject to supervision of ministries. This includes broad administrative powers and an independent financial system. Elected members of these councils will in turn select governors and form local governments, making supporting women’s representation essential. The elections also hold a special importance as they were last held more than 10 years ago and had suffered significant delays.
    As such, in 2023 UNWomen Iraq supported the provincial elections through a number of high level activities, including holding coordination efforts with key stakeholders such as the High Electoral Commission, Parliamentary committees, and other governmental counterparts. This resulted in the development of a Women’s Political Participation workplan for the elections, as well as raising the issue at the highest level. Additionally UN Women Iraq trained a number of female candidates and aspirants looking to run for provincial elections.
    In addition UN Women Iraq worked in 2023 through sustainable partnerships which included civil society organizations and governmental entities. Most significantly, UNW programing successfully contributed to support national women machineries and address structural barriers by focusing on economic opportunities, governance advancements, community support, violence against women, and women’s leadership and political participation.

    Results and resources

    Outcomes (aligned with interagency frameworks)
    IRQ_D_4.3

    By 2029, people in Iraq, particularly women, girls, youth, and vulnerable populations, live in a clean, healthy, safe, and resilient environment and have increased resilience to climate change impacts and disaster risks

    IRQ_D_4.3.1

    Institutional and community capacities, resources, and knowledge are strengthened in support of gender-responsive climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation

    IRQ_D_4.3.2

    Women, especially women-headed households, have improved capacities to contribute to and benefit from Disaster Risk Reduction through the promotion of equitable climate resilient attitudes and practices.

    IRQ_D_7.1

    By 2029, people in Iraq, particularly women, girls, youth, and vulnerable populations, benefit from more resilient livelihoods and decent work opportunities resulting from a more diversified, inclusive, sustainable, green, and equitable economic development

    IRQ_D_7.1.1

    Economic governance institutions and relevant stakeholders have strengthened capacities to create an inclusive policy and regulatory environment that upholds fundamental labor rights, promotes women’s entrepreneurship and workforce participation, fosters private sector investment aligned with Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), and enhances public finance mechanisms to support equitable economic growth, particularly through MSME development and expanded access to finance, markets, and sustainable employment opportunities for women.

    IRQ_D_7.1.2

    Capacities of employment service providers and other stakeholders are strengthened to deliver demand-driven, tailored employment, entrepreneurship and skills-building support for women, including the most vulnerable

    IRQ_D_8.4

    By 2029, people in Iraq, particularly women, girls, youth, and vulnerable populations, benefit from transparent, accountable, inclusive, and effective governance institutions that enhance peace, security, the rule of law, and human rights

    IRQ_D_8.4.1

    Government institutions have strengthened capacity to promote the effective implementation of WPS commitments as well as women’s participation and leadership in decision-making at all levels

    IRQ_D_8.4.2

    Security and justice sector institutions have enhanced capacity to uphold gender commitments, including the improved access of women and girls to justice, in accordance with international norms and standards.

    IRQ_D_8.4.3

    National authorities have enhanced capacity to draft and implement gender responsive legislation, policies and strategies in accordance with Iraq’s gender commitments

    IRQ_D_8.4.4

    Capacities of the national women’s machineries, National Statistics Office, and civil society organizations are strengthened to effectively monitor, report, and advocate for the implementation of gender-responsive human rights legislation and policies in line with Iraq’s national and international commitments.

    IRQ_D_8.4.5

    Capacities of women-led civil society organizations and local governance structures are strengthened to actively participate in and lead inclusive, participatory, and rights-based peacebuilding processes, ensuring the implementation of gender-responsive strategies that address the underlying causes of fragility and promote social cohesion

    IRQ_D_9.1

    By 2029, people in Iraq, particularly women, girls, children, youth, and vulnerable populations, benefit from improved access to high-quality, inclusive, accessible, and equitable social services and a functional, responsive, and rights-based social protection system

    IRQ_D_9.1.1

    Social protection systems have enhanced capacities and resources, supported by effective policies and legislation, to ensure comprehensive and equitable protection for all, prioritizing vulnerable populations

    IRQ_D_9.1.2

    National institutions, including providers of essential services have strengthened capacity to deliver inclusive, comprehensive, and gender-responsive protection services, to prevent and respond to violations against at-risk women and girls and other vulnerable groups.

    Organizational effectiveness and efficiency
    IRQ_O_1

    UN Women is an accountable and trustworthy development organization that manages its financial and other resources with integrity and in line with its programmatic ambitions and fiduciary obligations.

    IRQ_O_2

    UN-Women effectively leverages and expands its partnerships, communications and advocacy capabilities to increase support for and financing of the gender equality agenda, while securing sustainable resourcing for the delivery of its own mandate.

    IRQ_O_3

    UN Women delivers impact at scale, through agile and ethical leadership rooted in a continuous improvement culture

    IRQ_O_4

    UNWomen is regarded as an employer of choice with a diverse and highly performing cadre of personnel that embodies UN values.

    IRQ_O_5

    UN Women efficiently and effectively discharges of all business processes that advance integrated delivery of its normative, operational and coordination mandate at HQ, Regional and Country level, including through shared services.

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    Budget
    Expenses
    Outcome Result statement IATI identifier
    OutcomeIRQ_D_4.3
    Outcome result statement
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-IRQ_D_4.3
    OutcomeIRQ_D_7.1
    Outcome result statement
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-IRQ_D_7.1
    OutcomeIRQ_D_8.4
    Outcome result statement
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-IRQ_D_8.4
    OutcomeIRQ_D_9.1
    Outcome result statement
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-IRQ_D_9.1
    Download data
    Budget
    Expenses
    Outcome Result statement IATI identifier
    OutcomeIRQ_O_1
    Outcome result statementUN Women is an accountable and trustworthy development organization that manages its financial and other resources with integrity and in line with its programmatic ambitions and fiduciary obligations.
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-IRQ_O_1
    OutcomeIRQ_O_2
    Outcome result statementUN-Women effectively leverages and expands its partnerships, communications and advocacy capabilities to increase support for and financing of the gender equality agenda, while securing sustainable resourcing for the delivery of its own mandate.
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-IRQ_O_2
    OutcomeIRQ_O_3
    Outcome result statementUN Women delivers impact at scale, through agile and ethical leadership rooted in a continuous improvement culture
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-IRQ_O_3
    OutcomeIRQ_O_4
    Outcome result statementUNWomen is regarded as an employer of choice with a diverse and highly performing cadre of personnel that embodies UN values.
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-IRQ_O_4
    OutcomeIRQ_O_5
    Outcome result statementUN Women efficiently and effectively discharges of all business processes that advance integrated delivery of its normative, operational and coordination mandate at HQ, Regional and Country level, including through shared services.
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-IRQ_O_5
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    Resources allocated towards SDGs

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    Our funding partners contributions

    Regular resources (core)

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    $138.34 K in total
    Other resources (non-core)
    $13.27 M in total
    Regular resources (core)

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    $138.34 K in total
    2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) $6,669
    2023
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
    Total contribution:$6,669
    Development:$6,669(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $6,669
    2022
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
    Total contribution:$6,669
    Development:$6,669(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    --
    2021
    No data available
    --
    2020
    No data available
    $125,000
    2019
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
    Total contribution:$125,000
    Development:$125,000(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    2023
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)$6,669
    Total contribution$6,669
    Development$6,669(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    2022
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)$6,669
    Total contribution$6,669
    Development$6,669(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    2019
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)$125,000
    Total contribution$125,000
    Development$125,000(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Other resources (non-core)

    Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

    $13.27 M in total
    2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
    European Commission --
    2023
    No data available
    --
    2022
    No data available
    $87,307
    2021
    European CommissionOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$87,307
    Development:$87,307(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $352,862
    2020
    European CommissionOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$352,862
    Development:$352,862(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $2,215,909
    2019
    European CommissionOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$2,215,909
    Development:$2,215,909(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    Finland $395,230
    2023
    FinlandOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$395,230
    Development:$395,230(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $395,230
    2022
    FinlandOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$395,230
    Development:$395,230(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $348,462
    2021
    FinlandOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$348,462
    Development:$348,462(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $291,547
    2020
    FinlandOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$291,547
    Development:$291,547(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $221,315
    2019
    FinlandOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$221,315
    Development:$221,315(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    Germany --
    2023
    No data available
    --
    2022
    No data available
    --
    2021
    No data available
    --
    2020
    No data available
    $889,192
    2019
    GermanyOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$889,192
    Development:$889,192(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    Japan $274,729
    2023
    JapanOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$274,729
    Development:$274,729(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $274,729
    2022
    JapanOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$274,729
    Development:$274,729(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $928,954
    2021
    JapanOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$928,954
    Development:$928,954(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $766,859
    2020
    JapanOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$766,859
    Development:$766,859(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $288,388
    2019
    JapanOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$288,388
    Development:$288,388(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    United States of America --
    2023
    No data available
    --
    2022
    No data available
    --
    2021
    No data available
    $561,134
    2020
    United States of AmericaOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$561,134
    Development:$561,134(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $375,849
    2019
    United States of AmericaOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$375,849
    Development:$375,849(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office $646,945
    2023
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund
    Total contribution:$646,945
    Development:$646,945(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $646,945
    2022
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund
    Total contribution:$646,945
    Development:$646,945(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $198,765
    2021
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund
    Total contribution:$198,765
    Development:$198,765(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $370,000
    2020
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund
    Total contribution:$370,000
    Development:$370,000(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    --
    2019
    No data available
    Sweden $536,334
    2023
    SwedenOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$536,334
    Development:$536,334(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $536,334
    2022
    SwedenOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$536,334
    Development:$536,334(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $23,040
    2021
    SwedenOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$23,040
    Development:$23,040(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    --
    2020
    No data available
    --
    2019
    No data available
    Iceland National Committee $60,490
    2023
    Iceland National CommitteeNational Committee
    Total contribution:$60,490
    Development:$60,490(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $60,490
    2022
    Iceland National CommitteeNational Committee
    Total contribution:$60,490
    Development:$60,490(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    --
    2021
    No data available
    --
    2020
    No data available
    --
    2019
    No data available
    Italy $760,952
    2023
    ItalyOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$760,952
    Development:$760,952(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $760,952
    2022
    ItalyOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$760,952
    Development:$760,952(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    --
    2021
    No data available
    --
    2020
    No data available
    --
    2019
    No data available
    2023
    Finland$395,230
    Total contribution$395,230
    Development$395,230(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Japan$274,729
    Total contribution$274,729
    Development$274,729(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$646,945
    Total contribution$646,945
    Development$646,945(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Sweden$536,334
    Total contribution$536,334
    Development$536,334(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Iceland National Committee$60,490
    Total contribution$60,490
    Development$60,490(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Italy$760,952
    Total contribution$760,952
    Development$760,952(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    2022
    Finland$395,230
    Total contribution$395,230
    Development$395,230(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Japan$274,729
    Total contribution$274,729
    Development$274,729(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$646,945
    Total contribution$646,945
    Development$646,945(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Sweden$536,334
    Total contribution$536,334
    Development$536,334(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Iceland National Committee$60,490
    Total contribution$60,490
    Development$60,490(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Italy$760,952
    Total contribution$760,952
    Development$760,952(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    2021
    European Commission$87,307
    Total contribution$87,307
    Development$87,307(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Finland$348,462
    Total contribution$348,462
    Development$348,462(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Japan$928,954
    Total contribution$928,954
    Development$928,954(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$198,765
    Total contribution$198,765
    Development$198,765(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Sweden$23,040
    Total contribution$23,040
    Development$23,040(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    2020
    European Commission$352,862
    Total contribution$352,862
    Development$352,862(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Finland$291,547
    Total contribution$291,547
    Development$291,547(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Japan$766,859
    Total contribution$766,859
    Development$766,859(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United States of America$561,134
    Total contribution$561,134
    Development$561,134(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$370,000
    Total contribution$370,000
    Development$370,000(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    2019
    European Commission$2,215,909
    Total contribution$2,215,909
    Development$2,215,909(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Finland$221,315
    Total contribution$221,315
    Development$221,315(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Germany$889,192
    Total contribution$889,192
    Development$889,192(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Japan$288,388
    Total contribution$288,388
    Development$288,388(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United States of America$375,849
    Total contribution$375,849
    Development$375,849(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
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    Strategic plan contributions

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