IRAK WOMEN

[Augustin Nzayisengab]

URAK

Since the US invasion of Iraq in March 2003, economic, social and
political aftershocks have thrust the country into chaos. Present-day
Iraq is plagued by insecurity, a lack of infrastructure and
controversial leadership, transforming the situation for women from
one of relative autonomy and security before the war into a national
crisis.

Today Women Struggle to Regain Their Former Status and Rights
Before Saddam Hussein came to power in the 1970s, women in Iraq did
not suffer the same types of repression as many other women around the
world. They were encouraged to attend school, they could own property,
they were allowed to divorce. In urban areas women held professional
positions in government, medicine, law and the arts. Two wars,
authoritarian repression and UN sanctions left most of Iraq in
crippling poverty, with people struggling to meet the most basic
needs.

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The Success of Iraq Hinges on Women's Participation
In March 2003, women’s rights and gender equity were mentioned as
symbolic issues for Iraq’s new national agenda. However, as the
overall situation in Iraq began to deteriorate after the invasion, the
focus on women was lost in the problems and violence facing the
country as a whole. When it came time to transform symbolism into
action by articulating support and solutions for the most pressing
national issues, women’s issues were considered an afterthought at
best, a distraction from the “real” issues at worst.

As a critical mass of the population, women have much to say about
solving Iraq’s problems. Women know what is needed to take care of
their families and rebuild their communities. Sustainable peace and
democracy in Iraq depends on women’s participation at all levels of
society.

Human Rights Conditions are Devastating
Violence against women increased within months of the U.S. invasion.
There were assassinations and abductions of Iraqi professional women,
in the country and abroad. Hair salons were bombed, and there were
threats to women who drove or didn’t cover their hair. Soon every
politician, businessperson, professional Iraqi and foreigner became
vulnerable to kidnapping and attack and remains so today. This issue
has become menacing enough to impede development efforts in the
country. But the increasingly precarious status of women was and
continues to be seen as a secondary issue, a distraction from the
bigger political debates.

They are More Determined than Ever Because The Stakes are So High.
Help Women in Iraq Build a Just and Peaceful Future Now.
Iraq is at a Critical Turning Point
Today the government is working towards restoring order and creating a
working democracy, but huge challenges remain for women’s rights.
While the constitution required that 25% of seats in Parliament be
occupied by women, that quota is not being met. The constitution also
states that no law that contradicts Islam will be established.
However, the interpretation of the text and laws at the local level
can lead to further corrosion of women’s rights.