Baghdad: Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani affirmed the government’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment as part of its plans to reduce unemployment and provide job opportunities for women, and to activate and support initiatives that provide them with both material and moral support.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Media Office announced the launch of the ‘Basma’ initiative, aimed at providing women with easy-term loans to establish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in collaboration with a group of national banks.
Al-Sudani praised the efforts of all parties involved in launching this national initiative, which aims to enhance women’s participation in economic life and support their essential role in the advancement of the state and society. He emphasized the government’s prioritization of women’s sectors through several decisions, most notably the formation of the Supreme Council for Women, which represents a message of concern and coordination for the state’s efforts regarding women.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment within its plans to reduce unemployment and offer job opportunities for women, as well as to activate and support activities that provide them with material and moral support. He highlighted the Riyada initiative, which has included more than 500,000 young men and women, with women constituting 27% of the applicants.
The Prime Minister commended the private sector, especially banks, for its role in many initiatives, including the ‘Basma’ initiative. Alongside loans, the government plans to provide training platforms, support, and consulting for various projects.
The Basma Initiative funds a range of women-led projects across productive, service, and technological sectors, including home-based food production, sewing, small e-commerce businesses, agriculture, women’s service centers, nurseries, and various design fields. The initiative is implemented under flexible terms that consider the specific needs of small and medium-sized women-led projects.