Barriers to women’s political participation have long existed in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Conflict, gender-based violence, disempowerment, and restrictive laws all represent continued challenges that women face throughout the region. Pro-democracy protests have been sweeping across MENA for over a decade, leaving the countries of the region with no choice but to re-evaluate the place of women in their societies. Women who were at the forefront of demonstrations also deserved to be at the forefront of politics.

With the rapid spread of the Coronavirus across Iraq, the need for gender-focused policy recommendations has become critical now more than ever.

In August 2020, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville held the first general election since the region voted overwhelmingly for separation from Papua New Guinea last year. Voters headed to the polls to elect the new president and representatives responsible for establishing the world’s newest independent country.

Member of Parliament (MP) Wafa Bani Mustafa knew that in order to change the status quo in Jordan, one in which no woman has ever made it to the head of the parliament or head of the government, she would need to tackle one main hurdle - violence against women in public life.  Political violence, whether its exclusion, harassment, bullying or physical attacks, has detrimental effects on the participation and presence of women in decision-making processes. In Jordan, women involved in politics tend to face cyberbullying, harassment and death threats.

Amidst this year’s health crisis caused by the pandemic and the worsening economic situation in Iraq, a group of women members of parliament (MPs) comes together across different political parties, sects, and ethnic backgrounds to address one common cause: combating domestic violence.