The Duchess of Edinburgh shows her support for our work
We were delighted to have the chance to meet Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh as part of her recent visit to Iraq to support the country’s Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.
Her visit to Baghdad was the first by any member of the British royal family and came at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office as a continuation of Her Royal Highness’s work to champion the survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.
Image credit: UK IN IRAQ
The Duchess attended a session of the annual Women’s Voices First Conference hosted by Cordaid Iraq, and met with local organisations like ours, as well as beneficiaries supported by various programmes. She also visited a family-planning centre and a school for girls, where she spoke to students and teachers about young women’s education and their future ambitions.
During a conference address on the WPS agenda, Duchess Sophie said: “It has long been an ambition of mine to visit Iraq, so I am delighted to be here today in Baghdad, and particularly amongst such inspiring Iraqi women leaders.”
Speaking of the aims of organisations like ours in seeking to increase women and girls’ participation, she added: “The United Kingdom is proud to support your efforts in this vital work here in Iraq. As Iraqi women, you know what the most pressing priorities are in your communities and therefore how to invoke sustainable change. This is why the UK co-designed and founded the Women’s Voices First project.”
Our team at the conference
As part of the British National Action Plan 1325 in line with the Conflict, Stability, and Security Fund (CSSF) Women’s Voices First supports Iraqi grassroots women-led, feminist, women’s rights organisations (WROs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) to jointly advance a localised and transformative WPS agenda. The project aims to contribute to inclusive peace and security in communities across federal Iraq and Kurdistan.
Our current Cyber Sisters project is part of the Women’s Voices First programme, and seeks to protect women and girls from online abuse and violence, while strengthening their participation in the digital world. Over the past few weeks, the Sisters have been raising awareness of key topics such as cyber abuse and bullying, stalking and intimidation, grooming and trafficking, the dishonouring of women, radicalisation, safe gaming and social media, plus data protection and identity theft. They will also be leading training for 500 other women and girls on online risks and staying safe.