Legal and Institutional Challenges Facing Women’s Access to Justice in the Kurdistan Region

Abstract

This report examines the legal and institutional challenges that hinder women's access to justice in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.pared by the Women Empowerment Organization (WEO) in collaboration with the Investigators for Rule of Law (IOL), the report responds to the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) following its review of Iraq's seventh periodic report. It provides a comprehensive assessment of the international and national legal framework, constitutional guarantees, local legislation, institutional mechanisms, and social barriers affecting women's ability to obtain justice. Drawing on legal analysis and the contributions of judges, legal experts, academics, and civil society organizations, the report identifies key gaps in legislation and implementation, highlights persistent discriminatory practices, and offers practical recommendations to strengthen gender equality, improve access to justice, and align the Kurdistan Region's legal and institutional framework with international human rights standards.