Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi announced plans to restructure Iraq's Supreme Council for Women, while the country's top judicial authority revealed the creation of specialized courts to handle cases of violence against women during the 18th Islamic Day to Combat Violence Against Women Conference in Baghdad.

Government Announces New Vision for Women's Council

Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi attended the conference on Saturday, which was organized by the National Wisdom Movement in Baghdad.

In his remarks, al-Zaidi paid tribute to the late Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, who launched the initiative, and thanked the head of the National Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, along with the conference organizers for continuing the annual event.

The Prime Minister announced that the government is moving forward with reconstituting and revitalizing the Supreme Council for Women under a new vision. He said the council is intended to become the legal and executive umbrella for efforts aimed at advancing the status of Iraqi women.

Government Highlights Women's Role

Al-Zaidi said women have been given special attention in the government's program, reflecting its belief in their role in achieving comprehensive development.

He noted that Iraqi women played a significant role in confronting the challenges faced during the fight against ISIS, whose members committed serious acts of violence against Iraqi women.

According to the Prime Minister, these experiences reinforce the need to provide a safe environment that prevents violence against women through effective legislation and deterrent measures.

He added that protecting women's rights begins with strengthening their scientific and intellectual capacities and enabling them to assume leadership positions.

Al-Zaidi also said the government takes pride in the presence of women across all constitutional branches of the Iraqi state and stressed that protecting women from abuse and blackmail requires a culture of respect and shared responsibility between society, the government, and state institutions.

Judiciary Establishes Specialized Courts

During the same conference, President of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council Faiq Zidan announced the establishment of specialized courts dedicated to investigating and resolving cases involving violence against women.

Zidan said judges have been instructed to accelerate legal procedures to ensure victims receive timely justice and protection.

He said that the Supreme Judicial Council continues to take practical steps to strengthen legal protection for women, adding that domestic violence investigations and judicial proceedings will be fast-tracked to end victims' suffering as quickly as possible.

Coordinated Legal Protection

Zidan said the judiciary is working closely with the Public Prosecution, the Directorate of Family and Child Protection, and the Community Police to execute arrest warrants efficiently, complete investigations, and provide victims with full legal protection throughout court proceedings.

He reaffirmed the judiciary's commitment to safeguarding women's legal rights and enforcing strict measures against domestic abuse and gender-based violence.