BAGHDAD -- In an extraordinary session, the Kurdish regional parliament has increased the share of seats allocated to female representatives to 30 percent.
The previous quota was 25 percent.
Parliamentarian Susan Sheikh Shehab told RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq that women's rights groups have been campaigning for the change since the establishment of the Kurdish regional parliament.
Another female parliamentarian, Rozhan Dezaei, told RFE/RL that she hopes the percentage will increase even more in the future to promote the role of women in public affairs, particularly in decision-making bodies.
The Kurdish regional parliament also lowered the minimum age for election to parliament from 30 years to 25 years.
The previous quota was 25 percent.
Parliamentarian Susan Sheikh Shehab told RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq that women's rights groups have been campaigning for the change since the establishment of the Kurdish regional parliament.
Another female parliamentarian, Rozhan Dezaei, told RFE/RL that she hopes the percentage will increase even more in the future to promote the role of women in public affairs, particularly in decision-making bodies.
The Kurdish regional parliament also lowered the minimum age for election to parliament from 30 years to 25 years.