Zulfan Rahim named head of Sulaimani civil status, nationality body

Zulfan Gharib Rahim, a veteran civil servant and one of Iraq’s first female police officers, has officially assumed the role of Director of the Nationality and Civil Status Directorate in Sulaimani, Iraqi Kurdistan Region, July 6, 2026. Photo: Screengrab/video/sm/via iKurd.net

SULAIMANI,— One of the first women to serve in Iraq’s police force has taken over as Director of the Nationality and Civil Status Directorate in Sulaimani, within the Kurdistan Region, starting Monday.

With her new role, Brigadier Zulfan Gharib Rahim has become one of the highest-ranking women in the province’s police leadership, marking a milestone for female representation in local law enforcement.

Rahim called the new post a major responsibility and said she plans to keep working hard on behalf of the public, adding that dedication and commitment will guide her time in office.

Rahim, age 45, was sworn into the position on her first day at the directorate. She was one of 12 women who finished Iraq’s inaugural police training course for female officers back in 2001, marking an early milestone for women in the country’s security sector.

Prior to this appointment, she held the rank of police chief for five years, bringing her law enforcement career to a total of 23 years of continuous service.

Looking at her plans for the office, Rahim said boosting staff accountability and improving how citizens are served will be central to her approach going forward.

She also singled out flawed digital records as a persistent problem she aims to address. The electronic system has been running for ten years, she noted, and some residents have discovered errors in their stored personal information.

She said fixing such errors takes time and requires official processing, and she urged the public to remain patient while corrections are carried out.

A published writer and advocate for women’s rights, Rahim praised the record of Kurdish women who held leadership posts before her, saying they have proven repeatedly that they can lead with integrity and dedication.

She closed by expressing hope that more women will rise into leadership roles and take part in shaping decisions, wishing success to women everywhere, especially those in Kurdistan.

(With files from Rudaw)