Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Iraqi Women Pressured to Run for Office, Fill Quota

Many candidates in Anbar are wives of tribal leaders

Share

(Newser) – Iraq has new rules to boost women's rights, but it may take a while for the nation's culture to get up to speed, Time reports. In this month's provincial elections, for instance, 25% of newly elected council members must be female. But in provinces such as Anbar, the idea of women in politics is regarded largely as a legal necessity—not an opportunity. "I don't want to be a candidate. He forced it on me," said one woman of her husband, a party leader.

In Anbar, female candidates are barred from campaigning or putting up posters because it's considered indecorous. One tribal leader suggested that women should run because they are less corrupt: "We prefer to have women in the local councils because women won't steal money from the council—maybe just a little for their makeup."

Omayah Naji Jubara, the 33-year-old head of the Iraqi and Arabic Women's Organization for Salahuddin province speaks on problems facing women in northern Iraq.
Omayah Naji Jubara, the 33-year-old head of the Iraqi and Arabic Women's Organization for Salahuddin province speaks on problems facing women in northern Iraq.   (AP Photo/Kim Gamel)
Sheik Abdul-Sattar Abu Risha, right, founder of Anbar Awakening, arrives for a meeting with tribal leaders in Ramadi, 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Baghdad, Iraq, on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007.
Sheik Abdul-Sattar Abu Risha, right, founder of Anbar Awakening, arrives for a meeting with tribal leaders in Ramadi, 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Baghdad, Iraq, on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007.   (AP Photo)
Anbar tribesmen attend a gathering with more than 100 community leaders and parliamentarians, in Amman, Jordan, Wednesday, Nov14, 2007.
Anbar tribesmen attend a gathering with more than 100 community leaders and parliamentarians, in Amman, Jordan, Wednesday, Nov14, 2007.   (AP Photo/Nader Daoud)
Inaam Hamid said she'll run for re-election for the Baghdad provincial council. Lingering fear bred by a small but die-hard insurgency has made many Iraqi women afraid to run in the elections.
Inaam Hamid said she'll run for re-election for the Baghdad provincial council. Lingering fear bred by a small but die-hard insurgency has made many Iraqi women afraid to run in the elections.   (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
A Iraqi woman is seen after enlisting as one of the first Daughters Of Iraq security volunteers in Zaganiyah, north of Baghdad in Iraq's volatile Diyala province on Saturday, July 12, 2008.
A Iraqi woman is seen after enlisting as one of the first Daughters Of Iraq security volunteers in Zaganiyah, north of Baghdad in Iraq's volatile Diyala province on Saturday, July 12, 2008.   (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Of course, since it is a village area, people are shocked that I'm running. But I would like to prove to them that I can do something for this area — at least, for the women. Maybe we can build a fabric factory. - Bushra Hassan Ali al-Feraj, candidate on the Tribes of Iraq list

I was not going to run, but they asked me to do it. I considered it a great responsibility, and I am very proud of the trust they put in me. - Fatima Mahmoud Marzouk, candidate on the Tribes of Iraq list

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

43 Stories

Iraq Passes Election Law, Clears Way for US Pullout

Vote set for Jan. 21, US will begin withdrawal 60 days later

Nov 9, 09 6:33 AM CST
(AP) - Iraq's parliament passed a long-delayed law yesterday paving the way for the planned January election to go forward, sidestepping a crisis that could have delayed the US troop withdrawal. The head of Iraq's electoral commission quickly proposed Jan. 21 for the election, five days after the earlier scheduled date. The... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Iraq • US troops • Kirkuk • Iraqi elections

Iraqis Swear by Pricey, Useless Bomb Detectors

US forces say handheld device is no better than a magic wand

Nov 4, 09 7:36 AM CST
(Newser) - Go through any checkpoint in Iraq, and someone will probably wave a small, hand-held device over your vehicle. Dubbed the ADE651, it’s supposed to detect bombs. But in reality it’s totally useless, US military and technical experts tell the New York Times, with one retired officer saying... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Iraq • bomb • Iraq security • Iraqi government • security checkpoint • ADE651

 Kurds Threaten 
 to Block Iraqi Election 

Dispute over Kirkuk holds up passage of new election law

Oct 29, 09 4:18 AM CDT
(Newser) - A dispute over the oil-rich province of Kirkuk is threatening to delay the Iraqi elections scheduled for January and push Arab-Kurd tensions past the breaking point. Kurdish lawmakers in the Iraqi parliament have vowed to block a vote on a new election law unless authorities agree to use voter records... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Iraq • Kurdistan • Kurds • Massoud Barzani • Kirkuk • Iraqi elections

43 Stories


Biden continues his travels in the country
AFP

Anbar's shieks get acquainted with democracy
Time


World 
TwitterFollow @NewserWorld on Twitter

 
Iraq • politics • women's rights • Iraqi government • Iraqi elections • Iraqi women

from our news partners