Kurdistan achieved a score of 62.1 out of 100 in the 2024 Regional Index on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The assessment shows limited progress in the legal and policy framework addressing VAWG, despite the existence of constitutional guarantees of equality. Iraq has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) with reservations, and the legal framework remains fragmented, lacking a comprehensive law criminalizing all forms of violence against women and girls.
Several ministries and national institutions have mandates related to the protection of women and girls, including the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the High Council for Women’s Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, and the Family Protection Units, in coordination with the Ministries of Health and Education. These institutions are responsible for prevention, response, and referral of cases of violence against women and girls.
Iraq has adopted a National Strategy to Combat Violence against Women and Girls, which aims to strengthen prevention, protection, and service provision mechanisms. However, the report highlights challenges related to implementation, coordination, and the allocation of sufficient resources to ensure effective nationwide impact.
Specialised services for women victims of VAWG are provided through a limited number of government-supported shelters and protection units. Cooperation mechanisms exist between relevant ministries and institutions for receiving, referring, and responding to VAWG cases, though gaps remain in geographic coverage, service availability, and institutional coordination.