Stryker Brigade News

“The Qara Qosh center is a great place for women of this community to instruct themselves to be more knowledgeable citizens of Iraq,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Candace Eckert, human rights leader for Mosul’s Provincial Reconstruction Team, 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion. “Their efforts here are commendable.” Eckert is a resident of Phoenix, Ariz.

The hair-styling and cutting class caters to 20 women in the morning class and 25 in the evening.

According to Eckert, operating expenses are all self-funded. Fees are charged for taking a class and the center’s large conference room is rented for weddings and other social gatherings. The women that work for the center are volunteers.

The women who constitute the groups leadership are Kurdish Christians. Their elected leader is Taghreed Wahdee.

“She is very effective,” said Eckert. “She uses the centers rental and class fees to pay for operational expenses. They are the first women’s center that I know of that is self-funding.”

A matter of contention that Eckert is working to bridg,e falls on the altar of religious differences.

Kawther Mustafa is an Iraqi, Kurdish Muslim. She is also the provincial council chairperson for the human rights committee for the Ninewa district.

“Today’s meeting turned out to be a very powerful one. We invited Kawther and her people and other women from centers in her district,” said Eckert. “I didn’t know if she would attend, when she showed up it was a good surprise. She is the elected human rights official for this area and I am her link, so if I’m going to visit a women’s center, I’m going to invite her to join us.”

According to Eckert, the district needs to put aside their religious differences and open lines of communication. There should not be any reason for not disclosing information that effects the centers operations.

One example is a legal matter that involves the Qara Qosh center.

The original landowner has filed to sue for more money on his original lease. His first attempt failed and he currently is awaiting a second appeal to a higher court in Baghdad.

Although the U.S. Army can not get involved, Eckert requested the services of Capt. Jason Del Los Santos, Judge Advocate General officer, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Fort Lewis, Wash. for legal advice.