As part of the project “Improving Human Rights Conditions and Enhancing Democratic Participation,” the Public Aid Organization (PAO), with the support of Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), held a Town Hall session in Erbil Governorate on 30 August 2026, bringing together academics, government representatives, media professionals, and civil society activists.
The session focused on introducing the project’s objectives, particularly promoting human rights and expanding democratic and civic participation, while highlighting the situation and needs of youth, women, and marginalized groups. It also explored the challenges facing these groups and their level of participation in public life and decision-making.
The session also featured the launch and discussion of a specialized study on the situation of youth, women, and marginalized groups. The study aims to provide data and information to identify key challenges, needs, and priorities, and to develop recommendations that can support more effective mechanisms for participation and representation, ensuring that the voices of these groups reach relevant decision-makers.
The session included an interactive discussion on the research findings and the level of community participation in decision-making, as well as a participatory activity that enabled participants to identify priorities for joint action in the next phase.
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