Baghdad: The Iraqi Government, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched the Iraq Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) analytical report, marking a major step forward in the country's understanding of and response to poverty.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Multidimensional Poverty Index uncovers key disparities often overlooked in traditional poverty statistics, providing detailed evidence of deprivation at the governorate and sector levels, especially across education, health, and living standards.

At a press conference to launch the report, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Iraq, Sascha Graumann, stated that the report represents a pivotal moment in efforts to address poverty in all its forms in Iraq. He emphasized that poverty is a complex and multidimensional issue, not limited to measuring income alone. Instead, it monitors deprivations in areas such as education, health, housing, and work, providing a more comprehensive view of what poverty actually means to Iraqis.

Graumann added that a first-of-its-kind index to measure multidimensional poverty among women in Iraq will be launched soon. He described it as a pioneering tool that highlights the specific and invisible barriers women face in education, health services, economic opportunities, and empowerment in decision-making, underscoring the need for equitable policies and investments.