Deterioration of Iraqi Women’s Deterioration of Iraqi Women’s Rights and Living Conditions Rights and Living Conditions

Under Occupation Under Occupation

Souad N. Al-AzzawiSouad N. Al-Azzawi

Associate Professor in Environmental Associate Professor in Environmental Eng.Eng.

Baghdad - IraqBaghdad - Iraq

Ottoman Empire(Pre – 1920)

Women’s rights were not recognized.

British Occupation(1920 – 1958)

Women’s rights did not improve under tribal,

religious rule.

Republic of Iraq(1958)

Personal Status Law amended to grant

inheritance and divorce rights.

Republic of Iraq – Baath Party

(1970)Provisional constitution

drafted by the Party laid claim to women’s

equality.

Republic of Iraq(1979)

Illiteracy eradication legislation implemented

country-wide, advancing women in

education and employment.

Historical R eview of W omen’s R ights in I raq

Republic of Iraq(1980's)

In 1980 : Women attained the right to

vote and run for office.In 1986 : Iraq ratified CEDAW (Convention on Elimination of all

forms of Discrimination Against Women).

UNESCO : In 1987, 75% of Iraqi women were literate. In 2000, this number dropped to less than 25%.

Iraqi Women Under OccupationIraqi Women Under Occupation

The lives of Iraqi women changed drastically after the military operations during the invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003…

Tens of thousands of Iraqi women, children and men were killed or injured as a result of American military use of conventional and unconventional banned weapons like White Phosphorous, Napalm, Depleted Uranium, Cluster Bombs and chemical agents and gases.

One main example of deterioration of women’s One main example of deterioration of women’s rights under the occupation is the amending of rights under the occupation is the amending of the Personal Status Law and the Constitution:the Personal Status Law and the Constitution:

The new USA-The new USA-written Iraqi written Iraqi Constitution Constitution includes laws and includes laws and regulations that regulations that leave much room leave much room for conjecture and for conjecture and interpretation by interpretation by clerics and religious clerics and religious figures. figures.

Bahr Uloom prepares to sign the constitution.(Photo: Reuters)

The occupation is responsible for the The occupation is responsible for the deterioration in women’s rights and living deterioration in women’s rights and living environment through the following:environment through the following:

Contrary to Geneva Conventions, Contrary to Geneva Conventions, Iraqi women are arrested, detained, Iraqi women are arrested, detained, abused and made to collaborate with abused and made to collaborate with the occupying forces and to inform the occupying forces and to inform against resistance.against resistance.

There has been an increase of sexual There has been an increase of sexual assaults, torture and violations of assaults, torture and violations of women’s rights by US forces in Iraq.women’s rights by US forces in Iraq.

The majority of Iraqi women lost their jobs. Seventy percent of The majority of Iraqi women lost their jobs. Seventy percent of the previously working Iraqi women today are unemployed for the previously working Iraqi women today are unemployed for various reasons.various reasons.

Women suffered greatly from loss of Women suffered greatly from loss of their loved ones…their loved ones…

(Photo: Reuters)

It is estimated that since March 2003, the start of the American invasion, 1, 127, 552 Iraqis have been killed.

The Struggle of Iraqi Women Under The Struggle of Iraqi Women Under the Occupation : Numbers and the Occupation : Numbers and StatisticsStatistics

A survey through the sample of A survey through the sample of the questionnaire shown was the questionnaire shown was conducted. conducted.

Selected population for the survey Selected population for the survey and research:and research:

1.1. Iraqi women within families in the largely Iraqi women within families in the largely refugee area of Kudsiya on the outskirts of refugee area of Kudsiya on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria. Damascus, Syria. (80 families were (80 families were included from this area)included from this area)

2.2. Iraqi women within families in Karada Iraqi women within families in Karada district on the Rasafa side of Baghdad, Iraq. district on the Rasafa side of Baghdad, Iraq. (70 families were included from this area)(70 families were included from this area)

The survey included 150 Iraqi families- a total of 502 people.

Marital status of the women in Marital status of the women in the studied population:the studied population:

29%

3%

54% 14%

Divorced (3%)

Widowed

SingleMarried

The graphical representation shown gives a clear idea of large number of widowed women amongst the population answering the questionnaire.

The Level of Education of Women in the The Level of Education of Women in the Studied PopulationStudied Population

2 411

2735

12

48

3 26

Distribution of the Educational Level of the Surveyed Women

Illit

erat

e

Rea

d/W

rite

On

ly

Ele

men

tary

Sch

oo

l

Jun

ior

Hig

h S

cho

ol

Hig

h S

cho

ol

Dip

lom

a

BS

c

Hig

her

Dip

lom

a

MS

Ph

D H

old

er

The table shown indicates that 47% of the women in the studied population earned higher education degrees. If we combine this percentage with high school graduates, the percentage rises to 70.6% which proves the immense potential of educated women within the studied population.

Age Distribution Amongst the Women of the Age Distribution Amongst the Women of the Studied PopulationStudied Population

RangeRange No. of WomenNo. of Women %%

Less than 20Less than 20 66 4 %4 %

20 – 2920 – 29 2020 13.3 %13.3 %

30 – 3930 – 39 2828 18.7 %18.7 %

40 – 4940 – 49 4646 30.7 %30.7 %

50 – 5950 – 59 3636 24 %24 %

60 – 6960 – 69 1212 8 %8 %

70 and above70 and above 22 1.3 %1.3 %

TotalTotal 150150 99.9 %99.9 %

From this table it can be seen that 73.4% of the women in the survey are of a working age, i.e. 30 – 60, and yet due to the circumstances, most of them are unemployed as will be shown later.

Employment Status of Women in the Employment Status of Women in the Studied PopulationStudied Population

33.33%

52%

4%

9.33%

1.33%

Retired(4%)

Students(1.33%)

Unemployed

Quit Work

Currently Employed

The data clearly shows that out of the 106 women eligible for employment within the studied population, only 14 of them are currently working. This shows that only 15% are employed, while 85% remain unemployed.

Major Reasons Behind Current Major Reasons Behind Current UnemploymentUnemployment

Lack

of S

ecur

ity

29O

ther

11

Thr

eate

ned

by

Mili

tias

9

Deb

aat

hific

atio

n

7Num

ber

of W

omen

Reasons for Unemployment

Closing down of private sector

jobs

5

3

Sectarian Favoritism

Dismantling of public sector jobs

2

2 Remain home to care for victims

It can be seen that the major reason behind women leaving the work force amongst the studied population is a lack of security due to sectarian violence, occupation forces and criminal militias.

Family Provider (Guardian) Amongst the Family Provider (Guardian) Amongst the Studied PopulationStudied Population

9.33%20%

52.66%

8%

Father

Mother

Son

None

Daughter (0.66%)

Relatives(2.66%)

Self-Provider(3.33%)

Both Parents(3.33%)

As can be seen from the statistics collected, there is an obvious retreat of women providing for the family, in spite of the fact that the general standard of living for the families is within the low-income to poverty level. (Taking into consideration the generally high level of education of the majority of the women.)

Income Range of Surveyed FamiliesIncome Range of Surveyed Families

No Income

31 Families

Over $1000

6 Families

$600 - $700

11 Families

$400 - $500

8 Families

$200 - $300

71 Families

≤ $10023

Families

$800 - $9000 Families

It will be noted that 70% of the Iraqi families surveyed live below the poverty level in one of the richest oil countries in the world.

Family Members Killed During Violence or Family Members Killed During Violence or ConflictConflict

5%

50%

42%None

1 Person Killed

3+ People Killed (3%)

2 People Killed

Number of Killed Family Members

Of the 150 families surveyed, 87 of them had one or more family members killed, with a total of 97 killed family members out of a total of 503. This represents a mortality rate of 193 per thousand.

Circumstances of Family Member Circumstances of Family Member DeathsDeaths

Cause of Death No. of No. of VictimsVictims

PercentilePercentile

Occupation forces during torture

16 16.5%

Occupation forces – random shootings

1 1.03%

Ministry of Interior torture victims

6 6.2%

Targeted killings by militias 40 41.2%

Random killings by militias 19 19.6%

Lack of security (raped and killed)

2 women

2.06%

Lack of security 4 men 4%

Car bombs 9 9.27%

Total 97 99.88%

The table shows that the highest percentage of deaths by killing is by the sectarian militias, followed by occupation forces excessive use of violence.

Missing VictimsMissing Victims

Circumstances of Disappearance No. of Missing

Percentile

Went out and never returned 35 53.3%

Sectarian kidnappings 6 9.09%

Accidents due to a lack of security 7 10.6%

Unjustified imprisonment 15 22.72%

Women were taken in place of other family members wanted by authorities

3 4.54%

Missing victims represent 13.12 % of the studied population. Missing husbands, brothers, sisters, parents and children are a source of real trauma to the women in the family.

Existing Chronic Illnesses in Families Existing Chronic Illnesses in Families SurveyedSurveyed

Patient Status Patient Status Within FamilyWithin Family

No. of No. of CasesCases

FatherFather 1818

MotherMother 6969

Both ParentsBoth Parents 1313

ChildrenChildren 1111

Status of Family Member with Chronic Illness

Some Diseases of Women in the Studied Some Diseases of Women in the Studied PopulationPopulation

Type of Disease / DisorderType of Disease / Disorder No. of No. of CasesCases

PercentilPercentilee

PsychologicalPsychological 1616 10.6 %10.6 %

Psychological with another Psychological with another diseasedisease

2828 18.6 %18.6 %

ThyroidThyroid 33 2 %2 %

UlcerUlcer 11 0.66 %0.66 %

Blood hypertensionBlood hypertension 11 0.66 %0.66 %

SterilitySterility 11 0.66 %0.66 %

MigraineMigraine 11 0.66 %0.66 %

ParalysisParalysis 44 2.66 %2.66 %

NoneNone 9595 63.33 %63.33 %

TotalTotal 150150 99.83 %99.83 %

Continuous change of the living environment, losing family members and harsh living conditions all contribute to extra stress on the women in the family. This has resulted in many psychological disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), etc.

Primary Causes of Displacement of the Families Primary Causes of Displacement of the Families StudiedStudied

8%

26.66%

12%

7.33%

39.33%

Forced Displacement (12 Families)

Lack of Security

(40 Families)Personal Threats

(12 Families)

American Troop Raids

2.66%(4 Families)

Assassination4%

(6 Families)

Internally Displaced

(11 Families)Not Displaced(59 Families)

Family Education and School AttendanceFamily Education and School Attendance

- The total number of The total number of students within the studied students within the studied population was 318 (172 population was 318 (172 males and 146 females)males and 146 females)

- The total number of failing The total number of failing students was 64 (40 males students was 64 (40 males and 24 females)and 24 females)

- Many elements contribute Many elements contribute to student failures in Iraq to student failures in Iraq including trauma, security including trauma, security fears, sectarian favoritism, fears, sectarian favoritism, displacement, etc.displacement, etc.

Major Causes of Student Failure in Schools Major Causes of Student Failure in Schools Amongst Surveyed FamiliesAmongst Surveyed Families

Causes of FailureCauses of Failure NumbeNumber r

PercentilePercentile

Missed attendanceMissed attendance 77 10.94 %10.94 %

Poor teaching techniquesPoor teaching techniques 55 7.81 %7.81 %

Distraction and inability to focusDistraction and inability to focus 1010 15.62 %15.62 %

Curriculum differences (due to Curriculum differences (due to displacement)displacement)

1515 23.43 %23.43 %

Emotional damage as a result of Emotional damage as a result of having one or more family having one or more family members killedmembers killed

1919 29.68 %29.68 %

Raids and imprisonment of family Raids and imprisonment of family membersmembers

88 12.5 %12.5 %

TotalTotal 6464 99.98 %99.98 %

Lack

of S

ecur

ity

For

ced

Dis

plac

emen

t

Mig

ratio

n

159.37%

3723.12%

3320.62%

53.13%

85%

21.25%

Fin

anci

al N

eed

Hou

se B

ombe

d B

y U

S T

roop

s

Kill

ing

of F

amily

Mem

bers

by

Mili

tias

Lear

ning

Dis

abili

ty

Causes of Dropping Out of School Amongst the Students of the Studied Population

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