Women of Iraq

Chelsea Barr

GWS 220

February 24, 2012

Women of Iraq

It’s amazing how diverse cultures all over the world are. Within ever culture, there is a set of norms assigned to gender roles. In many circumstances, women are disadvantaged compared to the males, for many societies are patriarchal. Iraq is one country where this is true. Gender equality in Iraq has been a struggle although the topic has seen some improvement in the past. In the last decade, women’s freedoms have dramatically diminished leaving them in fear and struggling to survive. This paper will explore the lives of Iraqi women, concentrating on their private and public rights within families and part of a large country.

Surprisingly, since the removal of Saddam-Hussein’s Baathist regime, the rights of women in Iraq have declined. Previous to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Saddam-Hussein put high importance on education. Boys and girls under the age of 16 were required to attend school. Under Saddam-Hussein, the illiteracy rate reduced greatly. According to Al-Ali, there were many speeches given by the Ba’ath regime about the promotion of women’s enlightenment (131-132). Under Saddam-Hussein, women were permitted to attend universities and to have public jobs. Women had the right to vote and the freedom to hold political office. “Whatever the government’s motivations, Iraqi women became the most educated and professional in the whole region” (Al-Ali, 138). Despite the illusion of leniency, reality was that Saddam-Hussein’s control was enforced with violence. The reason for granting women such freedoms was to benefit the economy by having more people in the labor force.

The aftermath of overthrowing Saddam-Hussein’s regime was chaos. The country became lawless, thus “Islam is being a ‘source of law’ for Iraq” during the formation of the new government (Power). Fundamental Islamic leaders took the position of authority. Under the fundamental Islamic law, expectations of women are very demanding. They are expected to be submissive and obedient of men. In cases where a woman is disobedient, she will be punished. Fundamentalists threaten that people obey or die. Many men believe women should not be in the universities. In some cases, men murder innocent women who dress in Western clothing, have higher education, and a career. The murderers dress their victims in a hijab and abaya, the traditional clothing. “The Muslim clergy, theologians, and fundamentalist believers argue that, on the basis of passages in the Koran and the tradition of Muhammad himself, a woman should not be permitted to leave her house in the first place, and if she has to go out, she must shroud herself in a loose garment, cover her hair, and must not reveal and ornaments or make-up that she may have used” (Hekmat, 181). The women who cover their bodies in the traditional way are acting faithfully. If a woman chooses not to cover herself, she is at risk of being harassed or assaulted. An example of a verse in the Koran that requires the covering of the woman’s body is as follows: “O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful” (33:59).

The control that Iraqi men have over women is especially prevalent in marriages and families. Islam allows husbands to have multiple wives as long as they are treated equally, but not necessarily without violence. “In Iraq, some tribes and fundamental Muslim sects believe that Islamic laws allow husbands to beat unruly wives, and even for families to kill women relatives who are accused of bringing shame upon the home, such as in cases of adultery” (Juhi). According to Juhi, domestic abuse has increased since the U.S. invasion in 2003. The World Health Organization has found that over 20% of Iraqi women have reported being victim of domestic abuse (Juhi). The numbers of unreported violence is believed to be much higher. Some believe that there is little action that will eliminate or even reduce this violence. Islamic law conditionally requires domestic abuse to occur. In efforts to reduce such violence, the UN gives a grant to countries in need. The money goes toward the needs of women to assist their medical needs, psychological needs and legal support. Regardless of the aid, the women who need it are not likely to utilize these resources because of the fear of humiliating their families and being exiled in result. “Her husband, brother or another relative will kill her to restore their ‘honour’” (Lattimer). “Violence against women has increased since the immediate post invasion chaos, when an alarming number of cases of sexual violence and abductions of women and girls were identified in Baghdad alone (Human Rights Watch 2003). Women have been abducted by gangs, raped, and beaten; their bodies have been dumped; they have been sold into prostitution” (Al-Ali & Pratt, 157). Some women are also kidnapped for sex trafficking. According to Wajid, “extremist Islamist groups are forcing Taliban-like conditions on Iraqi women.”

Throughout Iraq, violence is prevalent and though U.S. military missions hoped to cease the violence it unfortunately escaladed. Not only is the violence among Iraqis themselves, but the U.S. military is at fault for some as well. According to Global Research, “U.S. guards committed other crimes against Iraqi women for their entertainment.” Photographs have been found and reports made of U.S. militants raping Iraqi women and making them strip. This is particularly devastating since the purpose of the U.S. being in Iraq was to help them, but they instilled more fear and unrest among the population. Not only did women have to fear being killed in the war, but they also feared being degraded and humiliated by the U.S.

According to Women’s Commission regarding health, Iraq is one of 60 countries with the highest infant, under-five and maternal mortality rates. For every 100,000 births, 370 mothers will die. It is frequent that children suffer from malnutrition and few have adequate drinking water. Large numbers of Iraqis suffer from chronic illness and women do not have convenient access to pregnancy preventing medications. The United Nations Population Fund admitted that the health of Iraqi women was being over looked. They went on to say that, “pregnancy and birth complications are the leading causes of death for displaced women and girls in times of upheaval, as health information and services become less available” (McDermott). Another area of concern is female circumcision, which is performed in certain regions of Iraq. This is highly controversial due to the health risks it imposes on the female. Female circumcision is believed to be purifying, but the procedure is not performed by a medical professional and can be dangerous. The possibility of excessive bleeding and infection among other complications are major concerns (Chulov). In Iraq, there is a growing demand for healthcare providers but these professionals are dwindling.

As well as the United Nation’s grant, other organizations are taking action to end violence among women. One of such is the Organization of Women’s Freedoms in Iraq (OWFI) founded by Yanar Mohammed. This organization works to provide information about the living conditions of women in Iraq. They take donations that go toward providing women with needed shelter. The OWFI also takes physical action in protests and campaigns in Iraq and in other locations around the world. During these campaigns, the demonstrators risk their lives standing up for the women’s rights. Mohammed and many other activists continue to fight for Iraqi women’s rights despite many death threats, some of which come true. On January 14, 2012, the OWFI held a conference in the UK called “Stop Stoning, Stop Execution”. The heart of the conference was about countries that have laws supporting stoning and public executions. Speakers provided information about Sharia law, how it affects women, and how to defy it for women’s rights. This is one example of the many opportunities women have to make a difference in the fight for gender equality. Other organizations for the rights of Iraqi women include International Free Women Foundation, Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq, and the Roj Women Organization.

In conclusion, the rights of Iraqi women are in dire need of emancipation. Today, their rights are less than they were under Saddam-Hussein’s Baathist regime due to the implementation of fundamental Islamic law. Under the Islamic law, women’s freedoms are completely stripped and they are to be submissive to the men of their country. This has caused escalated violence, rape, and killing rates. The health statistics are also devastating. Overall, the living conditions Iraqi women are subject to are poor and they are fearful for their survival every day in public and within their homes. Fortunately, some organizations are fighting to give relief to these oppressed women, though struggling to do so. These Organizations provide shelter for women in need. They organize demonstrations to promote women’s equality and freedom, and they stand up to the threats of death from fundamental Islamic men.

Work Cited

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Wajid, Sarah R. "The battle against brutality." Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. (2012): n. page. Web. 23 Feb. 2012.

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