This campaign raises public awareness on the right to education for all Iraqis, while focusing particularly on the importance of women’s and girl’s education, and on the state’s role in addressing the challenges facing education in Iraq today.
Iraq has strong educational traditions. In the 1980s, its education system was considered one of the most advanced in the region. But the outbreak of war and violence, and the disintegration of state education led to a grave increase in dropouts. Factors that have contributed to this include insecurity and uncertainty about the future of the country, targeted civilian attacks, and corruption in the school system due to underpaid teachers.
Coordinated by the IDFN and its member organizations, with guidance and support from Canadian and European partners, the campaign includes:
• At least 12 public meetings with Civil Society Organizations and Community Based Organizations (in both urban and rural centres) to devise common strategies for addressing the many challenges in the educational sector.
• Production of campaigning material, including a booklet on the importance of education for all.
• Lobbing and advocacy towards increasing state subsidies for transport and other education-related expenses of students.
• Policy paper on the role of civil society and the state in promoting education for all in Iraq.
