Countering gendered violence in Iraqi Kurdistan

What is it about?

The article explores the transnational campaign against gendered violence in Kurdistan. It demonstrates how a network of activists committed to this cause have used the changing circumstances in Iraqi Kurdistan, and mainly its transition into de facto independence, to advocate their cause. This transition made the new Kurdistan Regional Government more exposed to external pressures, providing some opportunity for activists to push for criminalisation of practices such as honour killings and FGM.

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Why is it important?

The article contributes to the ongoing debate about the role of transnational advocacy networks. It stresses the importance of the domestic conditions for such activism, and especially the role of political transition as an opportunity for change. At the case level, the article examines a case study which has long been understudied, thus stressing the validity of transnational activism theories to cases beyond the West.