PRT and Local NGO Mark Women’s History Month Together in Kirkuk

Kirkuk | March 24, 2010

PRT and Local NGO Mark Women’s History Month Together in Kirkuk

PRT and Local NGO Mark Women’s History Month Together in Kirkuk

Women of all ages gathered at the Government Building in Hawija on March 24, 2010 to mark Women's History Month at a gathering jointly organized by local non-partisan NGO "Hawija Women's and Orphans Group" and the Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). The centerpiece of the event was a discussion hosted by the Kirkuk Public Diplomacy Officer, Erin Eddy, following a presentation on "Women of Influence."

Following the presentation, the women discussed the elections that wereheld on March 7th, in which all 40 of the women participating in the women's history month event held up their right index finger to indicate that they had voted.  One woman spoke about why she believed the women in the area went to vote.  "We voted because we want the best government
for the community and for the women in the community.   We are half the population and need leadership to represent us," she said.  Another topic discussed was women's place in the workforce.  Only one woman at the event stated that she currently has a job; however, all of the women agreed that they need jobs, since most of them have several children.