News
GJC congratulates the Women's Alliance for a Democratic Iraq on their 7th anniversary!
April 23, 2010
On April 23, 2010, GJC's partner the Women's Alliance for a Democratic Iraq (WAFDI) celebrated its 7th anniversary! The GJC has been privileged to work with this incredible organization - read the letter from WAFDI founder and member of the board of directors, Basma Fakri, celebrating WAFDI's achievements and continued dedication to a free and democratic Iraq for men and women:
"Dear All,
Today is WAFDI's 7th anniversary. I still remember vividly the two-day conference that was sponsored by Women Waging Peace and Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington DC On April 21-22 2003. The meetings and discussion, especially during that time after the removal of Saddam's regime, were illuminating, exciting and hopeful. We didn't know what to expect when we formed WAFDI. One thing we had in common that is to help empower Iraqi women.
During the conference, I was so excited to meet wonderful Iraqi women such as Judge Zakia Hakki, Tamara Quinn, Pauline Jasim, Nisreen Barwari, Tanya Gilly, Katrin Michael, Neeran Saraf and others (excuse my aging memory if I forgot some names).
During the past seven years, we partnered with other NGOs to help Iraqi women such us partnering with the Global Justice Center headed by Janet Benshoof to train Iraqi women and tribunal judges on women's rights and international law . Also, we supported our sisters in mobilizing for the 25% representation in the Parliament and defeating resolution 137.
We are part of the rainbow of Iraq with all of its religions and ethnic groups. Some of us lived outside Iraq and we acquired new ideas that may be foreign to Iraqis who didn't leave or lived outside Iraq, but we still feel connected to Iraq and want to help.
We sometimes discuss hot issues that may unintentionally offend some of us, that's expected from this young democracy that Iraqis experiencing for the first time. What important is we stay civil and respect each other point of view even if we don't agree with it. As long as we focus on Iraqi women's issues, such arguments minimize.
Your help and support are needed so that WAFDI continue helping Iraqi women.
Many thanks to our non Iraqi sisters and brothers (Iraqis and non Iraqis) who helped us along the way.
Happy Anniversary WAFDI.
Best,
Basma"
Go here to read more about our work in Iraq, or visit WAFDI's website here.
The Global Justice Center is a New York based international human rights organization that provides leaders with legal tools and strategies for enforcing human rights law.