The period between the third and fourth congresses of the Kurdistan Women's Union lasted a long time, and during this period, several important events occurred that had an impact on the organizations of the Women's Union, the Party, and even Southern Kurdistan in general. Regarding the organizations of the Kurdistan Women's Union, we can point to several internal events of the organization that had an impact on changing the structure of the organization. Among them, the meeting of the village of (Khnira) affiliated with Erbil Governorate, on August 24, 1986. In this meeting, a statement was issued by the Women's Union, and a new leadership committee was appointed as follows: Wazira Pirdaud Qadir, Secretary. Kurdistan Pirdaud Qadir, member of the Secretariat, and Razia Hassan Khatab, member of the Secretariat Bureau1.
Later, after the success of the Southern Kurdistan Uprising in the spring of 1991 against the Ba'ath regime's authority, and with the aim of starting activities and organization within the cities, towns, communities, and villages of Southern Kurdistan, the (Martyr Layla Qasim) Conference was held by the Kurdistan Women's Union from February 20 to 22, 1992, under the slogan (For the sake of peace, freedom, equality, and social justice) in the city of Erbil2. In this conference, it was decided that after two years, the Fourth Congress of the Kurdistan Women's Union would be held3. At the same time, a new body for the Executive Committee was elected by the conference representatives, which consisted of:
1- Shirin Ibrahim Fatah, known as Shirin Amedi - Secretary
2- Kurdistan Pirdaud Qadir - Deputy Secretary
3- Wazira Pirdaud Qadir - Head of Culture and Media
4- Halima Hussein Muhammad, known as Halima Barzani - Head of Finance
5- Gulnam Mahmud Mustafa - Member
6- Razia Hassan Khatab - Head of Social Affairs
7- Karima Abdul-Razzaq Hussein, known as Karima Fayli - Member
8- Avin Omar - Head of Organization
9- Prashang Falakadin Sabir, known as Prashang Kakayi - Member
10- Maryam Hassan Kanabi - Member
11- Zahida Shekho, known as Zahida Barzani - Member
12- Kajal Karim - Member
13- Dr. Nahida Karim Saeed - Head of Relations
14- Ruqiya Muhammad Salih - Member
15- Bayan Ahmad - Member
16- Snobar Sabir Rashid - Member
17- Rezan Akram - Member
18- Bayan Yunis - Member
19- Shukriya Ahmad - Member
20- Kurdistan Ahmad - Member4.
Although it was decided at the Martyr Layla Qasim Conference that the congress would be held after two years, due to several reasons, especially the outbreak of the civil war in Southern Kurdistan, the congress was delayed. Nevertheless, after the situation calmed down and favorable opportunities arose, on February 15, 1997, in a joint meeting of the Kurdistan Women's Union, the Central Bureau of Professional Organizations of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, and the staff of the branches, the decision was made to appoint the Preparatory Committee for the Fourth Congress (Equality Congress) of the Kurdistan Women's Union. The Preparatory Committee for the Congress was formed, which consisted of:
1- Shirin Amedi - Supervisor of the Congress Preparatory Committee
2- Araz Tofiq Muhammad-Amin - Sulaymaniyah Branch
3- Bayan Hassan Muhammad - Sulaymaniyah Branch
4- Dr. Rubar Mustafa - Kirkuk Branch
5- Ghazala Muhammad Salih - Kirkuk Branch
6- Jiyan Agha Tajdin - Erbil Branch
7- Sabriya Babakir - Ranya Branch
8- Zakiya Salih Abdul-Khaliq, known as Zakiya Sayyid Salih - Duhok Branch
9- Sabiha Ahmad Mustafa - Soran Branch
10- Jamila Muhammad Haji - Akre Branch.
This committee carried out its preparatory work within a specified time, and on July 28, 1997, in the city of Erbil, it held its fourth congress in the presence of President Masoud Barzani.
In the continuation of the work and activities, by the members of the congress, the Executive Committee was elected as follows:
1- Shirin Amedi
2- Sabiha Ahmad Mustafa
3- Snobar Sabir Rashid
4- Sabriya Babakir
5- Shawnam Najmadin
6- Jamila Haji
7- Zakiya Sayyid Salih
8- Ghazala Muhammad Salih
9- Jawan Sulaiman
10- Bayan Tofiq
11- Najiba Muhammad Amin
12- Shirin Najm Abd, known as Shirin Fayli
13- Araz Tofiq Muhammad-Amin
14- Chiman Rashid
15- Suham Hakim
The reserve members of the Executive Committee were also elected as follows:
1- Bayan Hassan Muhammad
2- Rojida Abdul-Qadir Sharif
3- Mahabad Salam
4- Nazdar Asaad Mahmud, known as Nazdar Barzani
5- Wahida Yaqu
6- Sabriya Ahmad Qadir, known as Sabriya Mam Ahmad5.
Sources and Footnotes
1- The Struggle of Kurdish Women and Our Congresses from the Perspective of Militant Women, Dangi Afret Magazine, Organ of the Secretariat Bureau of the Kurdistan Women's Union, Issue 13, Erbil, Ministry of Culture, July 15, 1997 AD, p. 27; Shirin Amedi, Women and the Achievements of the Kurdistan Women's Union, Volume One, (Erbil - Ministry of Culture Press - 1998 AD), pp. 184, 186, 213.
2- Kurdistan Democratic Party, Political Bureau, Organization Department, Circular, No. 357, March 9, 1992 AD, p. 1.
3- Shirin Amedi, previous source, pp. 53, 62.
4- Same source, pp. 135, 178, 186; Shirin Amedi, Towards the Fourth Congress of the K.W.U. [Kurdistan Women's Union] Congress of Equality, Dengi Afret Magazine, organ of the Secretariat Bureau of the Kurdistan Women's Union, No. 13, Erbil, Ministry of Culture, 15 July 1997 AD, p. 5.
5- The Fourth Congress of the Kurdistan Women's Union concluded successfully, Dengi Afret Magazine, organ of the Secretariat Bureau of the Kurdistan Women's Union, No. 14, Erbil, 14 May 2698 Kurdish, pp. 1, 7.