Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat – Hundreds of Iraqi women demonstrated inside the Conference Palace in Baghdad on Sunday and called for equal rights between men and women in the new Iraqi constitution which is currently being drafted.

A number of protestors told Asharq al Awsat that the constitution was a national entitlement for all citizens. They demanded a civil constitution where the law would reign supreme and favoritism and violence against women and children would be abolished.

They rejected the principle of proportional representation for a limited time to ensure women participate in the decision making process and refused to enter negotiations on women’s rights.

Shouting, “No preference, no compensation, no gift, we want the personal status laws”, the women also called for retaining the personal status laws, instead of adopting sectarian or tribal systems as a replacement.

This latest gathering followed a demonstration on Saturday which saw hundreds of Iraqi women in front of the Palace demand their rights be upheld by the constitution which will be submitted to the Iraqi National Assembly later today.