[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 149 (Wednesday, October 22, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S12986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     WOMEN'S RIGHTS CENTER IN IRAQ

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I wish to take 2 or 3 minutes to make a 
comment on another issue.
  Earlier this month, the Fatima Zehran Center for Women's Rights 
opened in Hillah in the Babil Province in Iraq. This center is the 
first of its kind to be established since the liberation of Iraq. It is 
also one of the many such planned across the country in Iraq. It 
oversees classes and workshops on women's issues and even broader 
issues in nutrition, in health, democracy, empowerment and leadership, 
literacy, computer and Internet skills, and entrepreneurship in local 
markets.
  As we all know, the last 35 years in Iraq have been a period of 
injustice for and oppression of Iraqi women. They were deprived of 
their civil and political rights.
  This is just another example of tremendous progress being made in 
Iraq. New programs are being developed and implemented throughout the 
country to raise the educational standard of Iraqi women. A few 
employment opportunities are occurring throughout the country. The 
Baghdad City Council has begun a major project to establish women's 
institutes throughout the city.
  It is clear that the time has come for Iraqi women to occupy their 
natural position in society and in leading their nation. Now they have 
the opportunity to play an active role in the decisionmaking processes 
of the political and economic development of a free Iraq. I am 
delighted that such progress is being made, and I look forward to the 
full participation of Iraqi women who have been oppressed for so long--
for almost three decades now.
  I yield the floor.

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