Iraq

Overview

Iraq’s political dynamics changed significantly on the heels of the 2019 Tishreen protests, which galvanized demand for reforms from the government but have yielded to disappointment over the lack of enduring change. As Iraq undergoes a period of relative stability after years of conflict and division, citizens continue to express desires for more accountable governance that brings greater prosperity and well-being. NDI began working with reform-minded Iraqi politicians in 1999, and formally established an in-country presence in 2003. In provinces across Iraq, women activists partner with NDI to design and advocate for initiatives that bring positive changes in their communities, elevating their roles in building inclusive, democratic governance. NDI works with political parties and members of parliament represented in two legislative bodies, the Council of Representatives and the Kurdistan Parliament of Iraq, to improve policy development and citizen outreach, and promote the political participation of women and minorities. NDI also supports civic activists and citizen election monitors to promote citizen participation in politics and provide effective and credible oversight and accountability of political processes. To promote dialogue around a shared understanding of public attitudes and priorities and help develop key public policies, NDI has conducted over 40 nationwide surveys and 400 focus group sessions in Iraq since 2003.