Sulaymaniyah Hosts Conference of the Social Democratic Alliance in the Arab World

Kurdistan 10:19 AM - 2025-08-27

onference of the Social Democratic Alliance in the Arab World in Sulaymaniyah.

The conference of the Social Democratic Alliance in the Arab World commenced today, Wednesday, in the city of Sulaymaniyah, with the participation of numerous notables.

The gathering, set to run for four days, devoted its opening day to women’s affairs. The first day featured a series of seminars with the participation of prominent female leaders, politicians, and representatives from Arab and international parties. 

Among the speakers were: First Lady Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed; Ferial Abdullah, member of the Leadership Council of the PUK; Pakhshan Zangana, former head of the Women’s Council; Eman Abdul Razzaq, Member of Parliament for the PUK bloc; Bahia Omra of the Palestinian National Initiative Movement; Rasha Ramez Jabr, member of the Executive Body of the Progressive Women’s Union in Lebanon; Dr Salma al-Bizri from the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front; Dr Nada Jaradat of the Palestinian Fatah Movement; Dr Basma Muhammad Mustafa, former Commissioner at the High Commission for Human Rights in Iraq; Dr Hind Bin Ammar, Executive Secretary of the Arab Trade Union Confederation; Hala Bin Yousif, member of the Political Bureau of the Alliance for Work and Freedoms Party; Malaysian politician Kasthuriraani Dubatu; Samah Bin Abdul Fattah Baybars of the Social Democratic Party in Jordan; Salwa Al-Damnati from the Socialist Union of Popular Forces Party in Morocco and Mona Abdel Radhi of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party.

Speech by President Bafel Jalal Talabani

At the opening of the conference, Karwan Gazneyi, Spokesperson for the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), delivered a speech on behalf of PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani, in which he reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening and safeguarding women’s rights.

The following is the full statement from the President of the PUK:

Dear esteemed guests and respected participants,

It is with great honour that I welcome you all to the city of Sulaymaniyah, our city of culture, resilience and progress.

Throughout our history, Kurdish women have carried a weight far greater than their share. They have been the backbone of our families, the protectors of our culture and the defenders of our land.

In the hardest moments, from the mountains to the cities, from the battlefields to our homes, women have stood shoulder to shoulder with men, often sacrificing even more. Today, when we talk about progress, democracy and justice, we must recognise that none of it is possible without the full participation of women. A community that silences women or ignores their sacrifices cannot move forward.

I want to pay tribute to every Kurdish woman – the mothers of martyrs, the women who fought within our Peshmerga ranks, the women who led in politics, education and civil society. Your courage and resilience are not only a source of pride for the Kurdish people, but also a guide for our future.

Our commitment must be clear: we will continue to defend the rights of women, to open every door of opportunity, to ensure that the sacrifices of Kurdish women are honoured with real equality and respect.

Together, men and women, we will build a stronger, freer and more just Kurdistan.

Bafel Jalal Talabani
President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan

Following the PUK President’s address, First Lady Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed took the floor to deliver her opening remarks.

First Lady: Women Must Unite to End Wars

In her opening remarks, First Lady Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed welcomed the attendees, stating: “We must unite and cooperate to resolve our problems. Every nation has faced major challenges, and we are no exception. Therefore, we must work collectively to overcome these difficulties and strive to provide greater services for our citizens.”

She continued: “Let us work together to realise the aspirations of our people. We are not gathered here merely to speak of our achievements, but to take seriously the hopes of our citizens and to serve them better. This gathering is an opportunity to identify the problems we face and to seek effective solutions.”

The First Lady further remarked: “One of our gravest concerns is the silence that so often follows crimes; this silence itself is a humanitarian tragedy. Had the world spoken out against the Anfal and Halabja atrocities and not abandoned the victims of Halabja, perhaps such crimes would not have been repeated elsewhere. What we witness today in Gaza, and the immense suffering endured there, is also the product of global and Arab silence.”

Speaking with personal conviction, she added: “I speak here as a woman and as a mother. Whenever a mother hears news of war, she does not think of victories or gains, but of the pain of the mother grieving over the body of her son or grandson. I say now: enough of war. Is it not time for us, as women, to take a united stand to confront and prevent these conflicts?”

She emphasised the devastating aftermath of conflict: “Following every war, women are left to raise countless orphans and struggle to provide for them. Today’s battlefields have become little more than marketplaces for the profiteers of war. Let us unite to prevent such wars. Let us raise our voices together, without hesitation, against conflict and against the killing of innocent women and children.”

Concluding her remarks, the First Lady stressed: “There are many powers across the world that share our vision and support the call to end wars. It is our duty to cooperate with them and to shoulder our responsibilities together.”



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