8th Cavalry Civil Affairs Meet With Local Iraqi Women
There is a lot of positive change happening among the citizens of Iraq. One of the most recent things to happen that is new is the first ever women’s committee which met on February 7th.
The Hawr Rajab Women’s Committee met for the first time including leaders from the local citizens, and representatives from the Coalition and Iraqi Military. It was the first ever gathering of women in a formalized setting to discuss issues and events that are important to Iraqi women.
Guest speakers spoke to a group of more than two hundred Iraqi women, young girls, community leaders, and others that would be considered the local backbone of women’s issues in the area. The first ever meeting was held at the Hawr Rajab Boy’s School, and appears to have been successful in giving voice to many issues not examined before.
Female Lawyer Manar Fahdil Salman was one of eight speakers to address the crowd. “We need to carry the message out to the world, to prove that we have rules. We are part of the effort to keep our city safe, we stand side by side with our men and with our community,†said Salman.
“This is not something we are endeavoring to do alone, we need help and assistance in our efforts,†said Lawyer Salman. Other women participating included Second Lieutenant Cynthia Peters, who represented the 8th Cavalry Women’s Affairs Regiment.
“We have willing women in our community, we are seeking training. We need to work to give them the training and special skills they need to serve their communities, and their families,†said Salman.
With all of the damage done by the Al Qaeda in residence over the last several years, many families lack traditional male head of households. Because of their men being killed in the fighting against the terrorist insurgents, the women are learning how to step up and assume roles and duties not known before.
