27 December 2021; Baghdad, Iraq - The Ministry of Planning, the Central Statistical Organization and UNFPA launched today the results of the second Iraq Women Integrated Social and Health (IWISH) survey, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning at the Kurdistan Regional Government - Kurdistan Region Statistics Office and with funding from Sweden.
The survey addresses women issues throughout all ages and covers various sectors such as women empowerment, health, reproductive health, violence against women and other relevant social and health dimensions to establish a comprehensive database. It offers integrated data that identifies the progress made and the gaps in the economic, social, and health situation of women in Iraq in comparison to the results of IWISH I, conducted ten years ago.
Speaking at the event, Dr Maher Johan, Deputy Minister of Planning, emphasised the importance of data and statistics in programming and policy development, reiteration the Ministry’s determination to conduct the Population & Housing Census before the end of 2022: “Evidence-based policies are the only way for us to achieve our commitments to the International Conference on Population & Development in Nairobi and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”.
Dr Rita Columbia, UNFPA Representative to Iraq, commented on the survey, saying: “UNFPA will continue to provide technical assistance in collecting, analysing and using reliable population data to ensure girls and women’s rights and needs are a priority for the Government of Iraq. The findings will enable the development of people-centred policies enabling women to have equal opportunities and exercise their reproductive rights”.
Highlights of the IWISH results can be found through this link and presentation in Arabic.
*******
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, delivers a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact Salwa Moussa, Communications Specialist, smoussa@unfpa.org 009647809171035
