The Center of Urban and Regional Planning for Postgraduate Studies at the University of Baghdad held a course titled “Women in the Workplace: Skill Development for Success.” Conducted by Dr. Inas Diaa Hadi, Head of the Center’s Human Rights Unit, the session was attended by various faculty members and staff.
The course aimed to empower women in the workplace and foster leadership skills by equipping participants with decision-making and direct management capabilities, thereby enhancing their potential to assume leadership roles. It sought to strengthen their professional standing by providing training in effective communication, negotiation, and time management to boost their competitiveness in the labor market. Furthermore, the course encouraged innovation and entrepreneurship by urging participants to transform academic and professional ideas into successful entrepreneurial ventures—managed efficiently while adapting to digital advancements and modern technical skills required for the future job market. It also addressed overcoming professional challenges by exploring best practices for managing work-related stress and achieving a healthy work-life balance.
Spanning two days, the course covered two main themes: the first focused on self-discovery, inner strength, and assertive leadership communication. These sessions incorporated practical exercises centered on success stories and the ability to say “no” to anything unconvincing. During the course, Hadi emphasized that developing professional and personal skills enhances women’s ability to perform their job duties efficiently and effectively. She noted that cultivating skills in communication, teamwork, and time management helps women navigate workplace challenges and achieve better results. Furthermore, self-confidence, initiative, and continuous capacity building empower women to achieve success and professional advancement. Investing in women’s training and skill development fosters their active participation in the workplace, as continuous learning and the acquisition of modern skills enable them to keep pace with work demands and achieve professional growth; a supportive and motivating work environment further assists women in leveraging their capabilities and realizing their career goals.
The course concluded with several recommendations, including the continued provision of training programs to develop women’s workplace skills and the encouragement of female staff and faculty members to participate in such programs. The recommendations highlighted the importance of enhancing communication, teamwork, and time management skills to improve job performance, as well as the need to support women in developing their capabilities and keeping up with modern skills and workplace requirements. Additionally, the recommendations called for creating a motivating work environment that fosters initiative, creativity, and professional development, while continuing to encourage continuous learning and the utilization of professional experiences to achieve success and advancement in the workplace.
