On Friday, September 27, Vision Education, in collaboration with the French Research Centre on Iraq (CFRI), hosted a pivotal conference at the French Senate in Paris titled ‘Iraqi Women: Between Compliance, Resilience, and Emancipation.’ This event marked the culmination of an 18-month research project, funded by Vision Education and conducted by CFRI, which explored the social conditions of women in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
The conference, the debut international event for Vision Education, brought together prominent political figures, scholars, and experts from Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and France, providing a unique platform to address the challenges and opportunities facing women in these regions. Professor Danièle Joly, who led the research, presented key findings from 45 in-depth interviews.
Notable attendees included Senator Rémi Féraud, representing the Île-de-France region; Wadee Al-Batti, the Iraqi Ambassador to France; Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, former French Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Research; and Meriem Amellal Lalmas, a journalist from France 24.
Senator Rémi Féraud emphasised the significance of the event, stating, “Hosting this conference at the French Senate is a sign of trust and recognition for the crucial work CFRI is doing in partnership with Vision Education.”
Safeen Dizayee, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), highlighted the need for active societal engagement: “Public awareness and societal acceptance of change are essential. Merely tolerating change is not enough; we must embrace it willingly.”
Zainab Khaleel Ali, Deputy CEO of Vision Education, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to advancing social progress through research: “Vision Education funded this research because it offers valuable insights into both Kurdish and Iraqi societies. Our support for this research aims to ensure that the data is accessible and practical, leading to real and meaningful change.”
Dr. Adel Bakawan, Director of CFRI, credited Vision Education for making the project possible: “When I launched this project on the conditions of women in Iraq and Kurdistan, we knocked on every door. The only door that opened was that of Vision Education.”
Zainab Khaleel Ali also emphasised Vision Education’s long-term commitment to societal change: “In our shared responsibility to create a more inclusive and engaged society, we remain dedicated to supporting initiatives that offer valuable insights and drive positive change. By fostering collaboration and promoting education, we can build a future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.”
Funding research is more than a financial act — it’s an investment in societal progress. Vision Education sees academic research as a catalyst for real change, using it to uncover crucial insights and drive meaningful transformation. Our commitment to research funding fuels our vision for a world where knowledge leads to progress, and every individual has the opportunity to thrive.