Ms. Maysoon, is a liberal Iraqi women’s rights activist and a member of the Iraqi parliament. In this podcast she discusses the role of women in both the Iraqi parliament and politics.
Funded by the EU, CGDS is producing podcasts, in Kurdish, Arabic and English to promote understanding of gender issues in the region. The following is one of the podcasts produced for the project.
She mentions how in certain aspects, women have contributed more than men inside the parliament. However, women are still a minority in this institution. Matters regarding women do not get warranted equal attention and support. Domestic violence cases are neither supported enough for a victim to want to come forward nor for a person to be held accountable in court. The ones in opposition of domestic violence laws are those who believe that the application of such laws in the country would detract their power in their own homes. The power that men have due to the lack of any regulation permits them to treat their families in whatever manner they desire. Certain members of parliament suggested providing departments in local police stations that welcome abused women, kids, and even men to report to the police. The majority of the parliament rejected the idea, stating that they do not want their wives or kids to be associated with men in the department. The parliament would only consider the idea if these departments were run by female police officers as opposed to male ones. Contrary to domestic violence, other cases regarding women’s health and education get more support from the parliament members and are taken more seriously.
Mrs. Maysoon mentions that some women in the parliament, specifically those who are part of religious parties, do not believe in feminism and do not want to talk about it as they consider it a sensitive topic. Unfortunately, these women form the majority of females in the parliament which makes discussing this topic a hard task. Ms. Maysoon mentions a personal experience of when she ran for the head of parliament in 2009. She says that some of the men supported her and stood by her side. Whereas, the majority of the male members of the Iraqi parliament, including her own political bloc stood against her. They did not take her candidacy seriously which forced her to withdraw.
Social media has become a platform to intensively fight successful women by insulting them, sabotaging their honor, or criticizing their faces and looks. She states that men who accomplish similar success do not face any of these troubles. The latter becomes an indication that, socially, women are under more pressure in comparison to men.
The quota act that is implemented in Iraq guarantees a specific number of seats for women in parliament and is considered unfair by many men. Ms. Maysoon confirms that without the quota act, women would not have any chance to be a part of the parliament. Further adding, the quota act is the only way of avoiding a parliament full of men. She concludes by saying that the only way to improve these circumstances is if the government encourages and supports women who constructs half of society.
Summarized and Translated by: Lubna Ghazi