Iraqi women learn about constitution, help community

Courtesy Photo | BAGHDAD -- Khazal Chassib Augla, a lawyer who works for a non-governmental organization called Civic Dialogue Group, speaks to a women's group about the constitutional process at the Al-Rashid District Council Oct. 3. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Dan Balda, 4th Brigade Combat Team PAO)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.15.2005

Courtesy Story

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Spc. Dan Balda

4th Brigade Combat Team PAO



BAGHDAD -- Oct. 15, the day Iraqis vote on their constitution, will be one of the most important days in the budding democracy's history. For its historical scope to be fully realized, a large percentage of Iraqis need to make their voices heard through their newfound freedom to choose their future.

With this in mind, the Al-Rashid District Council, along with a women's group, held a conference to promote greater understanding of constitutions and to encourage dialogue on the constitutional drafting process in Iraq.

Task Force Baghdad Soldiers helped organize the conference and were also on hand to observe the proceedings.

"Back home, we have sections we vote on, and if you don't read it right, "no" means "yes" and "yes" means "no,"" said Sgt. Maj. Tammara Wipf, A Company, 425th Civil Affairs Battalion and a liaison with the group. "They wanted information on this constitution so they would know how to vote."

Khazal Chassib Augla, a lawyer who works for a non-governmental organization called Civic Dialogue Group, sees it as his mission to explain the sometimes befuddling language to various groups. He has spoken to doctors, sports teams, young adults and teachers about the constitution.

"I"d love to see a very active role (for women) in the government because women represent the mother, the professor and the lawyer in our society so we would like to see the role enhanced," he said.

The women who attended the conference hold influential positions'teachers, administrators and members of their neighborhood councils. The women's group does many positive things for the Al-Rashid area. They assist widows of the war by helping them with clothing, food and personal items. They provide diapers, baby formula and other infant items to needy women.

And now, as they gain a working understanding of the constitution, they can bring their new knowledge to their jobs, families and friends to make the constitutional process more accessible to everyone.

Wipf believes the women showed up because information is power and she wants to provide as much "power" to these women as possible.

Wipf said she feels a certain kinship with the women.

"I do like working with these women," she said. "They are going through a lot of struggles that we in the United States went through 50 years ago, so I want to help them. That would be my small contribution to this process, but it would mean a lot to me."

After learning such facets of the constitution like who should participate in the process and whose rights should be protected by the document, Augla held a mock-drafting to show the women how difficult it can be to make sure all groups are represented fairly and equally.

"Hopefully in a couple of years, when everything is settled down and Iraq is safe and flourishing, these women will feel like they played a very important part in one of the most pivotal moments in their country's history," Wipf said.

• Date Taken: 10.15.2005
• Date Posted: 10.15.2005 11:00
• Story ID: 3351
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ