NADA Alliance conference in Sulaymaniyah highlights women’s empowerment and global gender equality

SULAYMANIYAH, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — The NADA Alliance’s post-establishment conference concluded in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), after three days of discussions, culminating in a final statement outlining commitments to advancing women’s empowerment and enhancing their societal roles. 

The conference brought together women’s organizations from various countries, including representatives from the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES). 

In its closing statement, the NADA Alliance stressed the importance of women’s rights and equitable participation, identifying key outcomes aimed at fostering gender partnership and societal transformation. 

Highlights included efforts to strengthen the NADA Alliance as an inclusive coalition driven by a comprehensive vision for women, while bolstering organizational capacities to support societies rooted in gender equality. The adoption of the Democratic World Women’s Confederation document and the Women’s Revolution Charter of North and East Syria as foundational frameworks was a significant step forward. 

The conference also endorsed the leader of the Kurdistan Worker’s Party Abdullah Öcalan’s “Peace and Democratic Society Initiative” as a women-centric model for peacebuilding and societal reform. 

Other key resolutions included calls to release female political prisoners held by oppressive regimes, solidarity with Yezidi women in their struggle for justice, and the promotion of women’s active involvement in political leadership. The alliance also committed to countering harmful stereotypes in male-dominated media by promoting independent women-led media initiatives. 

To broaden its impact, the alliance aims to establish local committees in member countries and prioritize grassroots collaboration to address global women’s issues. 

The event underscored the NADA Alliance’s dedication to creating peaceful, democratic societies through gender equality and justice.