Iraq Access to Justice Program Weekly Report #16

The program, implemented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aims to address the needs of women, widows, orphans, detainees, minorities, the impoverished, and internally displaced persons and returnees. The program is divided into three components: Improve Knowledge of Legal Remedies, Improve Legal Education and Services, and Advocacy and Improved Government Services. Component 1 focuses on building awareness of legal remedies and promoting positive relationships between partners working with vulnerable groups. This is achieved through workshops, training programs, and media outreach initiatives. In Component 2, the program works to improve legal education and services by partnering with the Iraqi Association for the Disabled (IADO) to initiate linkages with the Ministry of Planning and the Bureau of Statistics. The program also coordinates with the office of the UN Human Rights Officer to review opportunities for working with IADO in building a coalition to advocate for Iraqi accession to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Component 3 focuses on advocacy and improved government services, with a particular emphasis on promoting the rights of people with disabilities. The program has approved a candidate for Advocacy Advisor and is working to develop a coalition to support Iraqi accession to the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. The program also has a Grants component, which provides training and support to grant coordinators and partners. The Gender Specialist has drafted a toolkit to assist team members and partners in addressing gender considerations in their work plans and grant applications. In terms of administration and operations, the program has made significant progress in recruiting and staffing, with several positions approved and pending. The program has also made progress in procurement, IT, and finance, with the development of detailed operating budgets and the installation of a new server. Upcoming activities include a symposium on identity issues, a forum on strategic communication planning, and a planned in-house risk control training for grants staff. The program is also awaiting USAID approval for several national staff positions and the revised grants manual. The program has a strong focus on collaboration and partnership, with regular meetings and workshops with government agencies, civil society organizations, and professional organizations. The program's calendar of activities is filled with a range of events and meetings, including a forum on strategic communication planning, a meeting with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Civil Society Affairs, and a visit to several universities to discuss access to justice work. Overall, the Iraq Access to Justice Program is making significant progress in improving access to justice for vulnerable and disadvantaged populations in Iraq. The program's focus on collaboration, partnership, and advocacy is critical to achieving its goals and promoting the rights of marginalized communities.