Public Views on Good Governance, Jobs and Women’s Rights in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI)
August – September 2018 Survey Findings PUBLIC REPORT
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This material has been funded by the UK government; however the views and opinions
expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.
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Methodology Overview – 17 August – 11 September, 2018
– 2,118 face-to-face interviews (2,344 unweighted); part of a national survey of 14.440
interviews
– Kurdistan Region of Iraq only, covering Dohuk, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah; not including IDPs
– Avg MOE +/- 2.1 points total KRI; Avg MOE +/- 3.5% per province
– Representative by gender, age, education, urban/rural
– Multi-stage cluster sampling; probability proportional to size sampling down to block level in
urban areas; simple random sampling at rural village selection and house/individual level – Half and quarter split samples were used on select questions for testing purposes or to
reduce the survey length
– Implementation team: NDI, JPM Strategic Solutions, GQR, IIACSS
– 14th national survey in Iraq conducted by team dating back to 2010; 2nd national survey
conducted by team this year
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Key Findings
– Some optimism about the direction of the Region
– Still a disconnect and dissatisfaction with the central government, but some
openness to improve relations
– The weak economy and unresolved budget and salary issues drive public
concerns
– Corruption is top-of-mind issue in Sulaymaniyah
– While women’s rights are broadly viewed in a positive light, they are stronger in
Sulaymaniyah, and among young women
– Connections and bribes perceived as necessary to get government jobs, and
support for an array of measures to encourage the private sector
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36 46 46
20
59 47 45
79
0
20
40
60
80
100
KRI Dohuk Erbil Sulaymaniyah
Right direction Wrong direction
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Slightly increased optimism for KRI direction Generally speaking, do you think that things in KRI are going in the right direction, or do you think things are going in the wrong direction?
∆ April ‘18
+4 -5 -5 +4 +5 -10 +9 -8
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Thinking specifically about your life now compared to 6 months ago, would you say you are more or less satisfied now than compared to 6 months ago?
Thinking specifically about your life, do you expect things to get better for you or worse for you over the next 6 months.
Satisfaction with past 6 months increases, next 6 months stable
47 60
53
33 47
35 39
63
0
20
40
60
80
KRI Dohuk Erbil Sulaymaniyah
More Satisfied Less Satisfied
∆ April ’18
+17 -21 +11 -15 +22 -28 +17 -20
46 51 48 39 38
28 33
48
0
20
40
60
KRI Dohuk Erbil Sulaymaniyah
Better Worse
∆ April ’18 +3 -9 -11 -7 +5 -12 +9 -9
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1 1 3
6 5 4 2
8 28
2 6
12 19
30 34 35
39 46
68
0 20 40 60 80
The Popular Mobilization Units
The Iraqi army
The Iraqi government
The federal police
The Council of Representatives
The justice system
The Human Rights Commission
The district council
The provincial council
The local police
Trust a lot Trust Somewhat
I will now give you a list of institutions. For each, please tell me how much you trust that institution. Do you trust that institution a lot, somewhat, just a little, or not at all?
Trust in government institutions continues to fall
∆ April ’18
+5
-4
-4
N/A
-5 --
+4 -1
-4
+2
25 24 21 29 52 56 53 50
0
20
40
60
80
KRI Dohuk Erbil Sulaymaniyah WorkingforDemocracyandMakingDemocracyWork 8
Majority feel their “component” not getting fair share Now for something different. I'm going to read you some pairs of statements and for each one, I want you to tell me which statement comes closer to your point of view.
I generally feel that my component gets its fair share of services.
I feel that other components get more services than they should.
∆ April ’18
+6 -12 +21 -28 -- -14 +3 +1
65 61 66 68
22 30 19 20
0
20
40
60
80
100
KRI Dohuk Erbil Sulaymaniyah 9
Democracy is the best form of government for Iraq, even if it has flaws.
Another form of government aside from democracy is better for Iraq.
∆ March ’15
+12 -7 +23 -4 +19 -18 +3 -1
Still faith in democracy, despite elections not bringing stability I'm going to read you some pairs of statements and for each one, I want you to tell me which statement comes closer to your point of view.
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21 19 9
34
59 56 66
53
0
20
40
60
80
100
KRI Dohuk Erbil Sulaymaniyah
Generally speaking, the parliamentary elections have brought more stability to Iraq.
Generally speaking, the parliamentary elections have not improved the level of
stability in Iraq.
∆ April ’18
-9 +6 -5 -9 -17 +17 -4 +5
22 14 25 25
56 60 47
61
0
20
40
60
80
100
KRI Dohuk Erbil Sulaymaniyah
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Low understanding of government priorities Now for something different. I'm going to read you some pairs of statements and for each one, I want you to tell me which statement comes closer to your point of view.
I generally have a good idea what my local government's priorities are.
I do not have a good sense of what my local government's priorities are.
I generally have a good idea what the Iraqi government's priorities are.
I do not have a good sense of what the Iraqi government's priorities are.
12 1 6 25
64 68 63 63
0
20
40
60
80
KRI Dohuk Erbil Sulaymaniyah
∆ April ’18
+9 -6 +10 -14 +13 -12 +4 +5
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5 5 7 12 12
17 18
28 28
31 35
0 10 20 30 40 50
Security
Sectarianism
Fairness of and access to justice
Infrastructure
Education and schools
Health care services
High prices
Basic services like electricity
Corruption
Jobs and unemployment
Budget and paying salaries
Which TWO of these are the most important for the KRI government to address?
∆ April 18 N/A -4
-13 +11 -8 +5 -4 -- -4 +2 -2
Economic issues, corruption, and services dominate concerns
Job concerns: Under age of 35—41% Over age of 35—20% Diploma+ education—46%
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4 7 9 9 14
17 19
28 42
48
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Property/land grabbing Garbage/environment
Personal safety Infrastruct/Reconstruction
Schools and education Health care facilities
Potable water Corruption Electricity
The economy
Please tell me which TWO of these are the most important for your GOVERNORNATE'S government to address.
∆ April 18 +10
+7 -6
+9 -3
-7
-5 --
+1 -1
Economy and electricity top local concerns
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Pollution largest environmental concern Now, I am going to read you a list of environmental concerns that some people may have. Please tell me which two concern you the most.
25 26 29 32
36 46
0 10 20 30 40 50
Lack of water for farming
Extreme weather, like heat and sand storms
Lack of sanitation and open sewage
Lack of clean drinking water
Pollution resulting from conflict
Industry-related air pollution
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KRI security apparatuses still perceived as responsive Now I am going to ask about different groups in Iraq. For each one, please tell me how responsive they would be to you if you need help.
0
1
3
40
73
2
8
20
71
90
0 20 40 60 80 100
PMUs
The Iraqi army
Federal police
Local police
Peshmerga
Very responsive Somewhat responsive ∆ April 18
-4
+10
+4
+3
-2
Dohuk: 16% Erbil: 28% Suli: 71%
1
11
42
44
0 10 20 30 40 50
The Iraqi army
PMUs
ISIS & other terrorist organizations
Local criminals Dohuk: 81% Erbil: 60% Suli: 4%
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Dohuk, Erbil most concerned about local criminals, Suli about ISIS I am now going to read a list of different groups in Iraq. Based on what you know, which ONE of the following do you feel is the biggest threat to your day to day security?
∆ April
18
+32
+5
+2
-2
Peshmerga, local and federal police, family, clans = 0
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Majority concerned about ISIS return and violence in community Would you say you are very concerned about ISIS and other extremist groups re-emerging in your area, somewhat concerned, just a little concerned, or not at all concerned about ISIS and other extremist groups re-emerging in your area?
Would you say you are very concerned about violence in your community getting worse over the next 6 months, somewhat concerned, just a little concerned, or not at all concerned about violence in your community getting worse over the next 6 months?
62 57 45
82
36 42 53
17 0
20
40
60
80
100
KRI Dohuk Erbil Sulaymaniyah
Very/Somewhat Concerned Little/Not Concerned
54 41 40
75
40 53 52
21 0
20
40
60
80
100
KRI Dohuk Erbil Sulaymaniyah
Very/Somewhat Concerned Little/Not Concerned
∆ April ’18
-12 +11 -- -1 -32 +32 +1 -- -10 +7 +7 -12 -33 +29 -- --
21
71
0
20
40
60
80
Most qualified Know people WorkingforDemocracyandMakingDemocracyWork 17
Need to have connection to get public or private sector job I'm going to read you some pairs of statements and for each one, I want you to tell me which statement comes closer to your point of view.
You are likely to get a public sector job if you are the most qualified candidate.
You are most likely to get a public sector job if you know the right people.
You are likely to get a private sector job if you are the most qualified candidate.
20
71
0
20
40
60
80
Most qualified Right people
You are most likely to get a private sector job if you know the right people.
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Need to pay bribe and connections to get a job I'm going to read you some pairs of statements and for each one, I want you to tell me which statement comes closer to your point of view.
To get a government job you need to pay a bribe.
To get a government job you usually do not need to pay a bribe.
To get a government job you need to have connections.
To get a government job you usually need to have a strong resume.
59
28 0
20
40
60
80
Pay a bribe Not bribe
66
21 0
20
40
60
80
Connections Resume
30 45
0
10
20
30
40
50
Gov't increase public sector
Gov't help private sector
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Split between facilitating public and private sector jobs I'm going to read you some pairs of statements and for each one, I want you to tell me which statement comes closer to your point of view.
The government should play an active role in increasing jobs in the country by
increasing government jobs. The govt's role should help private sector by creating a coherent legal framework,
eliminating corruption, & boosting spending on infrastructure.
What Iraq needs most right now is more jobs created by the government.
What Iraq needs most right now is more jobs created by private companies and
businesses.
35 36
0
10
20
30
40
50
Jobs by gov't Jobs by private companies
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20 21 23 24
32 33
38
0 10 20 30 40 50
Reduce the paper work needed to create new companies
Incentivize employers to hire more women
Focus on creating jobs outside the oil sector
Establish vocation training centers throughout Iraq
Ensure positions are filled on merit, not quota/connections
Provide incentives to businesses that hire new employees
Create more government jobs
Now I am going to read you a list of things the next government of Iraq could do to improve the country's employment situation. Please tell me which TWO of these would be most important to improve the country's employment situation?
Wide array of efforts needed to create jobs
42
33
31
46
54
60
-100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100
Women's rights
Participation of women in public life
Participation of women in politics
Worse Better
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Majority see women’s participation as improving
∆ April ‘18 Better
N/A
N/A
+14
Now, I will read you a list of issues. Please tell me if you think this issue is getting better or worse in Iraq.
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Sulaymaniyah most intense about equal rights Generally speaking, do you think that men and women should have equal rights in Iraq? Yes or no?
48
26 38
72
89 92 84 90
0
20
40
60
80
100
KRI Dohuk Erbil Sulaymaniyah
Yes, strongly Yes, somewhat
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Young and urban women most intense about equality Generally speaking, do you think that men and women should have equal rights in Iraq? Yes or no?
48 60
42 49 41 44
34
57 44
89 94 86 90
83 86 80 93 89
0
20
40
60
80
100
KRI Young Women
Young Men Older Women
Older Men Urban Men Rural Men Urban Women
Rural Women
Yes, strongly Yes, somewhat
55 63
50 52 56
34 26
39 36 35
KRI Young Women
Young Men
Older Women
Older Men
30 19
37 25
41
60 72
56 61 50
0
20
40
60
80
KRI Young Women
Young Men
Older Women
Older Men
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Women in work force viewed positively, esp. among younger women I'm going to read you some pairs of statements and for each one, I want you to tell me which statement comes closer to your point of view.
If jobs are limited, men should have more of a right to a job.
Both men and women should have an equal opportunity to get most jobs.
Iraq would be stronger if more women entered the workforce.
It is not culturally appropriate for women to pursue jobs outside the house.
32 33 32
0
10
20
30
40
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Split on whether society or families hold women back I'm going to read you some pairs of statements and for each one, I want you to tell me which statement comes closer to your point of view.
Society as a whole does more to prevent
women from achieving more.
Individual families do more to prevent
women from achieving more.
(Both)
53 61
49 58
43 31
21
38 28
41
0
20
40
60
80
KRI Young Women
Young Men
Older Women
Older Men
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Young women most supportive of women in business I'm going to read you some pairs of statements and for each one, I want you to tell me which statement comes closer to your point of view.
Women and men should have an equal role in running the government.
Men should have a greater role in running the government.
51
66
49 47 43 34
21
40 37 39
KRI Young Women
Young Men
Older Women
Older Men
Women and men should have equal roles in running businesses and industry.
Men should have a greater role in running businesses and industry.
39
49
37 42
27 26 20 23
29 33 31 29
37
24
35
0
10
20
30
40
50
KRI Young Women Young Men Older Women Older Men WorkingforDemocracyandMakingDemocracyWork 27
Women most likely to think only women can represent women Now for something different. I'm going to read you some pairs of statements and for each one, I want you to tell me which statement comes closer to your point of view.
Only women can sufficiently represent the interests of women in politics. Men can sufficiently represent the interests of women in politics.
(Both)
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31
38
36
45
51
55
63
69
67
86
90
90
26
46
50
55
61
63
62
78
80
91
94
96
0 20 40 60 80 100
Men, Strongly able Men, Somewhat able Women, Strongly able Women, Somewhat able
Support for women in politics; stronger among women Now I am going to ask you about various things that women in Iraq could do in society and politics. For each one, please tell me if think a woman should be able to do that activity or should a woman not be able to do that activity?
Become an advocate for women’s rights
Run for office in the KRI Parliament elections
Become a community activist
Be a minister in the federal government
Be a Prime Minister
Join a political party
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41
42
35
51
77
79
70
84
39
47
50
63
78
87
79
93
0 20 40 60 80 100
Men, Strongly able Men, Somewhat able Women, Strongly able Women, Somewhat able
Openness to women in business Now I am going to ask you about various things that women in Iraq could do in society and politics. For each one, please tell me if think a woman should be able to do that activity or should a woman not be able to do that activity?
Run their own business
Run their own business with men and women employees
Make a higher salary than their husbands
Work as many hours as they want
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16
28
39
54
70
37
56
79
90
94
24
34
59
67
82
42
68
88
96
98
0 20 40 60 80 100
Men, Strongly able Men, Somewhat able Women, Strongly able Women, Somewhat able
More variation on women’s social roles Now I am going to ask you about various things that women in Iraq could do in society and politics. For each one, please tell me if you think a woman should be able to do that activity or should a woman not be able to do that activity?
Get a university degree
Have a government job
Marry whomever they want
Travel alone wherever and whenever they want
Be part of the Iraqi police