The developmental role of social work in shaping social policy in Iraq: Social protection legislation as a model

The development work of the social work in Iraq faces many challenges, especially in the field of formulating social policies, including social protection legislation. Therefore, the current study aimed to identify the concept of the developmental role of social work and its various dimensions, and identify the reality of the contribution of social work. In drawing social protection legislation in Iraq, identifying obstacles to the contribution of social work in shaping social protection legislation in Iraq, and making proposals to activate the contribution of social work in shaping social protection legislation in Iraq. The study belongs to the quality of descriptive analytical studies and relied on the sample survey method. The study sample consisted of 80 social workers working in the city of Baghdad, whether in government agencies, research centers, or international organizations active in the city of Baghdad. The study tool was a questionnaire prepared by the researcher, and the study found the following results: The contribution of social work in formulating social protection policies in Iraq is very weak due to the lack of awareness of the developmental role of social work, whether by specialists or by policy makers. The study recommended the necessity of making a qualitative shift towards the method of social development work, which requires changing the mentality of social workers at the stage of study, training and employment, in addition to creating a conducive legislative environment that allows for the assimilation of social development work practices.