Support to Gender Responsive Security Sector Reform in Iraq

This project aims to build the capacity of security institutions in Iraq specifically the Ministry of Interior (MOI) and Ministry of Defence (MOD). The project supports a gender-responsive and sensitive security approach across both ministries and to build the capacity of the Women’s Empowerment Directorate (WED) and women’s and women-led civil society organizations (CSOs). The project supports initiatives that help to jointly monitor and provide oversight for the implementation of the second National Action Plan (NAP) priorities for security sector reforms across Iraq's security institutions. Project activities include: (1) providing capacity-building training and small grants to CSOs enabling them to develop monitoring plans for the NAP; (2) conducting and publishing a comprehensive study centered on the Iraqi Armed Forces with a focus on identifying factors that influence women's participation in the country's security sector aiming to provide actionable insights; (3) delivering gender-responsive senior leadership and budgeting training to the senior management of MOI and MOD; and (4) offering technical assistance to WED to enhance their capacities in gender-responsive security reforms.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) enhanced understanding of the structural and institutional obstacles to gender-responsive reforms for the MOD and Iraqi Armed Forces (IAF). This is coupled with a commitment to implement recommendations in the short medium and long term; (2) strengthened leadership and planning capabilities of high-ranking officers within the MOI MOD and IAF. This helped to advocate for gender equality and promote the role and responsibilities of women in their respective ministries; (3) improved capacity of the WED to provide guidance and oversight for the implementation of the second NAP’s priorities for security sector reforms across Iraq's security institutions; (4) enhanced role and engagement of local and national civil society organizations in Iraq supporting the implementation of the second NAP process through a consultative process; (5) strengthened capacities of women and youth groups in 5 governorates enabling them to undertake community security initiatives to address local security concerns; and (6) increased capacities of civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations in 3 governorates. This helped to localize the second NAP priorities to the governorate level and provide informal monitoring reports to the WED on local challenges gaps and successes in implementing the Women Peace and Security agenda.