It is a promising, exciting time for Iraqis as they await their second major post-war parliamentary elections. For the women, though, this time is also a bleak reminder of the long and difficult road that lies ahead before they can exert any significant political influence in what has always been a very “male-oriented culture.”
During the drafting of Iraq’s new constitution, women had pressed officials to establish a minimum quota of 40% seats for women in the Parliament. Many resisted these demands and in 2005, the newly drafted Constitution called for a compromised minimum of 25% of the Parliament seats for women. Five years later, both analysts and female politicians explain that this quota has had little effect.
People attribute this to many different factors. Some women point out that they are often placed in the “‘soft ministries.’” Also, the women, chosen by political parties to serve, are expected to follow the orders of a party boss. Other women fear for their reputations as they are sometimes criticized and accused of being too liberal or against Islamic values. Some women have been too afraid to serve as they are equally if not more vulnerable to the electoral threats, harassment, and violence. Many Iraqi women refuse to run because taking they would be lying to the people by giving them the false impression of a democracy. Finally, several women have decided not to run for re-election in order to take care of their children.
Of course, one cannot ignore the ways in which the overall situation of women has improved in the past several years. There are now clear signs of a growing, active political class of women in Iraq who can finally speak out. Safia Taleb al-Souhail, a member of the Parliament who is currently seeking re-election, believes that “women have more space than four years ago, and the ability to go from place to place.” She also believes that things are changing because of the many mistakes committed by men in the past including violence, militias, and corruption. “We do believe,” she says, that “we have improved the willingness of our people for our acceptance in the future.” For Ms. al-Souhail, the mere fact that women no longer have to wear a hijab for security purposes, and that they can now drive, are the important beginnings of a positive “‘change in the tone of (their) society.”
This combination of progress and challenges is driving a growing number of women to exert their influence and lead in their communities. For example, the New York Times reports that 12 women from outside the political system have established their own party with a focus on issues of women’s rights, and a jobs program for the 700,000 widows of Iraq. For these women, it is very important that they remain independent of any political party in the country. Jenan Mubark explained that what they wanted was to “empower Iraqi women in the educational and economic centers.” This is crucial, as countless statistics show that Iraqi women have higher rates of poverty and unemployment, and lower education than men. Besides being an active member of this new group of women, Mrs. Mubark manages a construction company as well as a non-governmental organization called the Iraqi Center for Women’s Rehabilitation and Employment.
These women are fully aware of the long road ahead, but they are ready to stick to it. Ms. Mubark is convinced that this is the “‘first step for change in (their) country,’” and for Safia Taleb al-Souhail, “‘Everything is possible.’”
You will find the full article on Iraqi women seeking greater political influence in Iraq at the following link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/world/middleeast/17iraqwomen.html?pagewanted=2
