Gorilla’s Guides

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.

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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.

Source: Women for Women International

Follow this link Stronger Women, Stronger Nations: 2008 Iraq Report to download the full report as a PDF. Be prepared to find it very upsetting reading.

Mohammed Ibn Laith