A unique female leadership development programme kicked off at the Iraqi Ministry of Interior in Baghdad in late September 2024, empowering women to assume leadership roles and increasing their participation. This German-funded programme is being run by the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM Iraq) and facilitated by the Erasmus Centre for Women in Organisations (ECWO) at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM).
More than 50 current and emerging female leaders from the Ministry are joining the programme, in which they learn from RSM’s Professor Hanneke Takkenberg and Dorothy Grandia and executive mentor Safiyeh Salehi Mobarakeh. The programme is financed by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany and developed by EUAM Iraq with ECWO. The first part was completed over eight days in late September. The second part will take place in December, which will include four course days, and two networking events.
Creating a sisterhood
The leadership programme aims to raise awareness for the importance of women in leadership positions in the security sector, to strengthen them in their role and to improve their skills. In addition to leadership topics to boost participants’ knowledge and skills, the curriculum includes space for a trustful dialogue on the challenges and opportunities women face in management positions.
“Women leadership is needed to help address the challenges Iraq is facing, to establish sustainable peace, stability and safety,” says Professor Hanneke Takkenberg, who was impressed by the participants’ sense of sisterhood and enthusiasm to build a women’s network.
Prof. Takkenberg: “I’m mind-blown by how these women are so determined and dedicated to driving positive change for their country. One participant promised in her personal leadership statement that she would go back to work as a butterfly spreading love.”
