As part of its research and analysis on geopolitical transformations in the Middle East, the European Institute for Studies on the Middle East and North Africa (EISMENA) has sent Lyna Ouandjeli, the Institute’s Head of Research, to Lebanon for a week-long field research mission from October 22-29, 2026.

The conference builds on an EISMENA report funded by Vision Education examining women’s living conditions in Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. It highlights both the challenges women face and their progress since 2003 in areas like empowerment, civil society, legislation, economic opportunities, and security. The conference aims to promote dialogue and strengthen women’s roles and rights in both regions.

In this article, Hiyam Ali analyses the proposed amendments to Iraq's Personal Status Law that could institutionalize sectarianism and undermine women's rights.