Iraq's female politicians plan to push for more positions in Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's new Cabinet, which includes only one woman.
Female lawmakers say they will petition Iraq's top leaders and international organizations for more Cabinet posts.
The Cabinet Maliki unveiled Tuesday allocated two posts for women. One woman leads a ministry with no job description, no office and no budget. The other, a Kurdish lawmaker, was offered the women's affairs post but turned it down.
In approving the new government Tuesday, Iraq's parliament filled 29 of the 42 Cabinet positions. "Acting ministers" comprise the 13 remaining posts until permanent successors are accepted by parliament.
Approval of the new Cabinet potentially ends a nine-month political stalemate following inconclusive elections in March. The Cabinet held its first meeting on Wednesday.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
