OWFI conference in Baghdad - 9/3/05

Call by Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq -UK Representative
To all women's organizations, political parties and human rights institutions:
The Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq (OWFI) is holding its conference in Baghdad under the title 'Women and the constitution' on 9 March 2005. This event is an important step for us. It will greatly enhance the fight to organize women's rights activists and organizations around demands for women's rights to be enshrined in law and to have an egalitarian secular constitution which recognizes women's rights as equal citizens in society.
This demand has a crucial and growing importance. With the 'victory' of the Iraqi United Alliance, composed mainly of Shiite groups, in the recent sham elections, the demand for the Islamisation of Iraq and any constitution will grow.
Women have been suffering for nearly two years, both under the occupation and from terror of the Islamic groups. Their rights have been eroded, but despite that they have been organizing and their determination to fight for secularism, equality and freedom has been shown through the work of OWFI, the true voice of women in Iraq.
On 9 March women will be holding their conference in Baghdad to discuss issues related to their destiny and how these need to be reflected in any constitution adopted.
The conference will demand a constitution based upon secular values, full equality between women and men, as well as the abolition of all discriminatory articles and laws against women. We want representation of women in all political, social and economic spheres.
We call on all to send messages of support to OWFI in their conference for a secular constitution to show your solidarity with our struggle.
We call on comrades to support the conference both politically and financially to help women win a secular constitution in Iraq that will allow them a voice in shaping their own future in Iraq
Your support is vital to us during this crucial period of our work!
Houzan Mahmoud
UK representative of OWFI
To send your letters of support, and donations to women's conference in Baghdad:
E-mail: houzan73@yahoo.co.uk. Tel: 079 56 88 3001 Web: www.equalityiniraq.com.