Women in Iraq: Background and Issues for U.S. Policy

Publication Date: March 2006

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Human rights

Type:

Coverage: Iraq

Abstract:

The issue of women's rights in Iraq has taken on new relevance, following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, efforts to reconstruct Iraq, and recent elections for a Transitional National Assembly (TNA). Over the past three years, the Bush Administration has reiterated its interest in ensuring that Iraqi women participate in politics and ongoing reconstruction efforts in Iraq. There has also been a widening debate regarding the extent to which the U.S.-led reconstruction efforts have been able to enhance women's rights in Iraq and encourage their participation in Iraq's governing institutions.

According to some observers, political uncertainty, conservative Iraqi culture, and an increase in popular religious activism, has called into question the future involvement of Iraqi women in nation-building and their role in public life. Also, Iraqis, in general, and Iraqi women, in particular, have complained that the volatile security situation and continuing insurgency have contributed to a deterioration in their status. Others note that Iraqi women are making inroads into the political process, citing the example of the January 30, 2005 national election, which resulted in Iraqi women gaining 87 out of 275 seats in the TNA. While Iraqi women captured 31% of Assembly seats, a primary challenge will be the drafting of a new permanent constitution, which some feel must institutionalize the rights of women as equal citizens in the state of Iraq. Another challenge Iraqi policymakers face is how to best ensure Iraqi women are represented in traditionally male-dominated areas such as the judiciary, state ministries, and local government.

The U.S. commitment to Iraqi women's issues has evolved into greater programming for women in Iraq. As part of the approximately $21 billion in U.S. funding for Iraqi reconstruction in FY2004, the United States allocated substantial amounts that specifically help Iraqi women with democratic organization, education, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. Still, U.S.-sponsored Iraqi reconstruction projects that address women's issues face challenges. Although women may benefit from a range of reconstruction and humanitarian programs, elements of Iraqi civil society and culture continue to undervalue the role of women in areas such as political participation and private industry. Furthermore, issues of personal status, like polygamy, continue to hamper gender equality in Iraq.

Related CRS papers include CRS Report RL33227, U.S. Assistance to Women in Afghanistan and Iraq: Challenges and Issues for Congress, by Rhoda Margesson and Daniel Kronenfeld; CRS Report RL31339, Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-Saddam Governance, by Kenneth Katzman; and CRS Report RL31833, Iraq: Recent Developments in Reconstruction Assistance, by Curt Tarnoff. This report will be updated as events warrant.