"Gender equality is one of the basic rights of human beings, and we have to endeavour to achieve gender equality rights in the same way that we, as a nation, endeavour to achieve independence. Today we are going to take a step forward in this process."

On the 2nd December 2015, in the presence of His Excellency Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, the Kurdistan Centre for Gender Studies (KCGS) was inaugurated. The following is an extract of his speech delivered at the inauguration:
"Good morning
Welcome to the inauguration of the Kurdistan Centre for Gender Studies at Soran University. It is a pleasure to open a centre for gender studies in the capital of Soran Emirate and the place of Khanzad, a Kurdish iconic woman. From this city, which embodies the history of originality and role of woman in society and administration, I want to thank all those people who have helped to open the KCGS. I want to acknowledge the role of Dr Muslih Mustafa, President of Soran University, not only for dedicating a place for the centre but also for developing this university, as it is clear that Soran University is one of the best universities in Kurdistan Region.
Surely, had it not been for the help and endeavours of the Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Planning, the Presidency of Soran University and High Council of Women, and UNWOMAN and UNDP agencies, the foundation of the centre would not have occurred. Opening such a centre, amid an economic crisis, is  proof that even an economic crisis would not stop our endeavoursto create gender equality, which is one of the priorities of the High Council of Women and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Gender equality is one of the principles of a healthy and developed society. Frankly speaking, we need to do more to reach gender equality in Kurdistan. I hope KCGS can help us, as government and society, to  know more about the impact and importance of gender equality.
Regarding the political and economic developments in Kurdish society, experts assess that the lack of gender equality is detrimental to the economy of Kurdistan. Lack of equality between men and women in the public or private sectors of the Kurdistan region is an undeniable fact. Actually, women’s role in the political arena of Kurdistan and their impact on Kurdistan public policy is limited. This is not only a fact in Kurdistan but also in the whole of the Middle East; however we should not use this as a justification to stop working on the issue.
In schools and universities, most of the top students are female but only few of them end up working in sectors. This proves that so far the Kurdistan market and economy have not been able to benefit from female graduates. However, in public sectors many women have been employed. As far as I know, thirty five percent of employees in the KRG are female, but a closer look at this thirty five percent will demonstrate that it is difficult to find a female in a high or executive position; they are only given administrative and low positions. Among four hundred and eleven thousand high positions, only thirty eight are run by women. We only have one female minister in the Kurdistan Regional Government cabinet. Fortunately, she is here with us today. The number of female governors and mayors is even worse. It is true that here is not Paris or Switzerland; here it is Kurdistan, where the gender role is limited by some reactionary and conservative ideology. In most parts of our community it is a norm that it is man's responsibility to find food for the family and that both man and woman complete one another. There is a dominant stance in Kurdistan that females have to get married and that their main duty is to bring up their children and keep the house in order. Throughout Kurdish history, this stance has never been dominant; on the contrary, gender equality was at its highest point in the past compared to the present.
 I say it again that many international organizations and banks, the United Nations and other institutions assess that gender equality is important for authorities, developing state economy, rising employment rate and poverty reduction. Kurdish gender policy, which is included in the plans and strategies of the Women's High Council, is a good initiation and honorably all these laws have been passed by Kurdistan Parliament. Most importantly, both personal status and annihilation of family violence laws have been amended..."
English Translation: Karwan Fayzi Dri