University Policy on Maternity Rights
The University of Kirkuk is committed to supporting women's and maternity rights within Iraqi legal frameworks, and to promoting a fair educational and working environment that contributes to sustainable development.
Since the university is the primary institution concerned with enhancing the status of women in society educationally and academically, the University of Kirkuk has placed women's status at the center of its attention and has sought to empower them across educational, academic, economic, and social dimensions. It has also worked to raise future generations on a culture of women’s rights and respect for their status.
As the Iraqi legal system supports women’s rights through many legal provisions, guaranteeing women’s rights yields positive benefits for women and children and contributes to the country’s progress and prosperity. It is worth noting that economic growth occurs more rapidly in countries that establish guarantees for women’s rights in health, education, ownership, and financial rights.
On this basis, the University of Kirkuk has sought to pay attention to women’s rights and adopt a policy consistent with Iraqi laws. A Women Empowerment Division has been established at the university to support women at the university and in the city of Kirkuk in general, contributing to increasing the number of women involved in decision-making.
Iraqi laws have guaranteed women’s rights to education, including the 2005 Iraqi Constitution in Article 34 (First), which confirms that education is a fundamental factor in the progress of society and a right guaranteed by the state. It is compulsory at the primary stage, and free education is a right for all Iraqis at its various levels.
- Providing a dedicated College of Education for Girls with its scientific and humanities departments.
- Providing female dormitories to ensure suitable housing with female supervisory staff.
- No discrimination between women and men in admission to undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
- Including female students in competitions and student activities alongside their peers.
- Guaranteeing the right of female employees and faculty members to study leave, fellowships, and scholarships to complete postgraduate studies.
The status of working women at the university is governed by Civil Service Law No. 24 of 1960, as amended, for permanent employees, while women working under contracts and daily wages are subject to Labor Law No. 37 of 2015.
- Maternity leave for female employees before and after childbirth in accordance with applicable legal regulations.
- Maternity leave to care for a child up to one year of age according to current decisions and instructions.
- Prohibiting forcing a pregnant or nursing woman to perform overtime work or work harmful to the health of the mother or child, in accordance with the Labor Law.
- Paid maternity leave of no less than 14 weeks for female workers covered by the Labor Law.
The university’s policy toward supporting women economically is reflected in preparing them for the labor market in order to achieve sustainable development, by ensuring women’s participation in economic life and implementing empowerment plans in cooperation with civil society organizations, the private sector, experts, and international partners.
- Holding workshops, seminars, and conferences to support women’s economic empowerment.
- Launching awareness campaigns that enhance women’s participation in the economy.
- Coordinating with local and international partners to support empowerment plans.
The university supports women’s assumption of leadership positions, and women have already held many senior and middle-level positions, based on the constitutional right to equality. Article 14 of the Iraqi Constitution states that Iraqis are equal before the law without discrimination on the basis of sex or any other reason.
- Enhancing women’s opportunities in leadership positions such as dean, department director, division head, and center director.
- Adopting the principle of equal opportunity and non-discrimination within the institution.
- Supporting a fair work environment that encourages participation and decision-making.