Baghdad: The Ministry of Planning announced the commencement of a joint workshop with the World Bank Group to explore mechanisms for women’s economic empowerment in Iraq. This initiative is part of the preparations for the forthcoming Third National Strategy for Poverty Reduction, set to span from 2026 to 2030.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Mueyed Ismail Hussein, Director General of the Executive Administration of the Strategy, revealed that the three-day workshop will concentrate on government strategies to boost women’s participation, especially those from impoverished backgrounds, in the labor market. This will be achieved through the implementation of effective economic and social policies. Hussein emphasized the ministry’s dedication to aligning efforts with pertinent institutions as part of the new strategy.

Yusra Al-Allaq, Director General of the National Directorate for Iraqi Women at the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, shared the directorate’s perspective and initiatives aimed at advancing women’s economic empowerment. The workshop saw participation from representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the Statistics and Geographic Information Systems Authority at the Ministry of Planning, alongside experts from the World Bank Group.