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An Online Resource Library on Domestic & Sexual Violence
"This report starts with an update on the Iraqi health system and its vulnerability." (1) It builds on Medact's five previous Iraq reports on health and health services. The major aspects considered in this report are: policy, human resources, infrastructure, supplies and health information, with particular attention to mental health. The report concludes with recommendations aimed to contribute to rehabilitating Iraq's health system. (12)
This report sheds some light on the history of Iraqi women's rights and status prior to the war to recent context. It also aims to dispel 'myths, misconceptions and even outright lies about Iraqi women's roles and status.' (3) In the preface, Dr. Nadje Al-Ali asserts that although Saddam Hussein's dictatorship undeniably and systematically oppressed women, Iraqi women were among the better off in the region. She goes on further to say that Iraqi women's agency has been challenged by being relegated to the home and subject to stricter private mores.
Amnesty International's report on violence against women in Iraq illustrates the connections between violence against Iraqi women, gender discrimination, armed conflict, and a breakdown in law and order since the end of Saddam Hussein's government. The report draws special attention to the disproportionate and unique ways Iraqi women are targeted because they are women. It also includes individual testimonies to punctuate the claims that human rights violations are being perpetrated against women.
The report is broken down into 7 sections with and Appendix:
In 2003, Mohammed, along with a few other Iraqi women, founded the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq (OWFI). OWFI offers shelter to women seeking refuge from honor killings and sectarian violence, monitors women in jail and helps formerly detained women, and speaks out for women's legal rights and secular law in opposition to Islamic fundamentalism and radicalism.
Dr. Nadje Al-Ali begins her brief paper with solemn reminders that the humanitarian situation in Iraq is deteriorating, and that many Iraqi civilians are struggling to survive under difficult conditions. The paper continues with claims that Iraqi women have been faced with new forms of violence since 2003. One form stems from claims that international forces have threatened and assaulted Iraqi women, and used them to pressure male relatives suspected of insurgency.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the exact number of missing persons in Iraq is difficult to estimate, however, even low estimates are in the hundreds of thousands. Unfortunately, the process of looking for a family member or loved one can be both complicated and dangerous given the current violence and insecurity in Iraq. The ICRC reports that it can be life-threatening to even ask about a relative's whereabouts, dangerous to make the trip to recover a body if located, and psychologically tormenting to continue to live in doubt and anguish.
The paper claims that historically, "Iraqi women and girls have enjoyed relatively more rights than many of their counterparts in the Middle East." (1) The paper discusses how pre-war Iraqi women's rights were directly connected to, and motivated by, the government's political and economic development policies.
The Basra Security Committee released a report on December 31, 2007, stating that 133 women were killed in Basra last year. The report claims that "79 of the victims were deemed by extremists to be 'violating Islamic teachings,' 47 others died in 'honour' killings and the remaining seven were targeted for their political affiliations. According to the article, prior to 2003, 'Basra was known for its mixed population and active night life." That seems to have changed because women perceived as not respecting Islam are being targeted.
This article argues that occupation authorities deny that there are female detainees to begin with, and there is a different stigma attached to the arrest and detention of Iraqi women than their male counterparts.
The information in these reports is gathered from a variety of resources, including interviews with victims, Iraqi governmental agencies and officials, as well as field visits, when possible and relevant. This report focuses on three categories: Protection of Human Rights, Rule of Law, and Promotion Activities of UNAMI.
