Brussels, 08/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - During a public hearing in Brussels on 1 October, organised by the Women's Rights Committee of the EP on the theme "Women of Iraq", Iraqi women who are working for peace, democracy and women's rights explained the problems they have faced in the reconstruction process, especially in Bassora and Baghdad, and asked the EU and the EP for help to reinforce and support the role of women in society. The members of the parliamentary committee pledged support for their cause, but emphasised that Iraqi women themselves must take part in the rebuilding of their country.
According to the women, EU aid could focus on psychological support, job creation, the building of orphanages and facilities for widows and the disabled, training centres, training periods in Europe, and the setting up of clothes manufacture workshops. As for the EP, they feel it should send a delegation to Iraq to assess the situation on the ground, or support an international conference and the creation of networks for women.
Winding up the work, the chairman of the parliamentary committee, Anna Karamanou (PES, Greece), said that "Parliament should persuade Commissioner Patten to take account of the role of women in the reconstruction of Iraq".