Iraqi women say freedoms are slipping away

[deadparrot]

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Women's rights activists in Iraq say rising extremism is restricting their freedom, even as the country prepares to vote on a constitution that is touted as one of the Arab world's most progressive regarding women.

"Women cannot walk freely out in the street," said activist Ban Jamil, who directs the Rasafa Branch of Assyrian Women Union, a local non-governmental organisation in Baghdad.

"Women face lack of respect when they walk uncovered," said Jamil, a Christian, who said women are insulted if they show too much skin or walk in public without wearing the Islamic veil, or hijab, to cover their hair.

She blamed "imported extremist doctrines, which were never experienced in the past" for the new restrictions.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050924/lf_afp/iraqwomen_050924210845

[rodeodance]

1. those purple fingers do not amount to much now-esp. for women.

[Lorien]

2. So it was really "operation male iraqi freedom"

(as long as you don't mind being the USA's bitch). :eyes:

[merwin]

3. 'touted as one of the Arab world's most progressive regarding women'

That is some fucked up shit. They're saying women will have the same rights as men as long as it doesn't conflict with the Koran... which basically means they have no rights at all.

[krkaufman]

8. Yes. And that's beside the fact that the drafted constitution...

... has nothing to do with what's happening, in reality, on the street. Even were they to pass the most liberal, freedom-loving constitution EVER, Iraq is a looong way from having any sort of structure or ethical security forces that could support freedom -- especially where the freedoms conflict w/ someone else's interpretation of the Koran.

[enigma000]

12. How bad is the proposed constitution?

Does anyone have a link to it?

[merwin]

13. It calls for distribution of the oil profits evenly throughout the country

Sounds like a reasonable idea, except it is meant to piss off the 25% of the country that proces 95% of the oil

[enigma000]

14. Didn't the oil rich areas seem to be in agreement?

The oil rich Kurds and Shiites tend to be supporting the constitution. It's the oil-less Sunni that have a problem with it.

[merwin]

16. I don't think the people who own the oil like that too much.

There was a thread regarding this a while back but I can't remember where.

[JoFerret]

20. Do you have an internet connection?

If so...just do a search. (!)

[Judi Lynn]

4. Freedom for any Iraqi was never a consideration, I'm sure.

I think this is a contrived article. It mentions things are far more difficult for women than they were prior to the invasion and occupation, yet it reaches this conclusion:

Women are also concerned that the American influence in running post-Saddam Iraq plays a major role in protecting women rights, and that a future departure of US troops might result in further radicalisation.
(snip)

Well, now we have to stay there to protect womens' rights, as long as those rights don't include the right to live without fear of being shot by Americans in your car or standing on the street, or resting in your home.

[okieinpain]

5. well women in our country didn't get the right to vote for a while. :~)

just ask the neocons, their rights will come. it will just take a few generations.

:~)

[smirkymonkey]

11. Well that's cold comfort to the women who are living NOW and

are seeing thier rights evaporate before their eyes.

[HockeyMom]

17. Women COULD vote under Saddam regime,

and go to college, and hold high level jobs, etc, etc. Saddam ran a SECULAR government. It is only when FUNDAMENTAL RELIGIONS, be they Christian or Muslim, take over the government that women's rights suffer. Iraq was NOT Afghanistan, as far as women's rights were concerned.

[okieinpain]

22. oh well bush and the neocons think that removing their rights will

help keep abortions down. sorry but they are screwed. main stream media is too busy tell you what a good guy deric jeter is.

[thebigidea]

6. quick, get that plastic hag Laura out to do some photo ops

holding a book and an Iraqi girl or something. Karen Hughes to the rescue!

[Maven]

23. Plastic hag!

Priceless.

You've just renamed her in my mind.

[Erika]

7. It's about oil

Laura and W depend on it for their future wealth. They could care less about women's rights.

[barb162]

9. kick

[MADem]

10. Freedoms are SLIPPING AWAY????

I guess that is what monkey meant when he said that Freedom is On THE MARCH!!!

[barb162]

18. yep, womens' rights are on the march right out of there

It drives me nuts

[electron_blue]

15. this is SO not a surprise

[barb162]

19. From before the war started I KNEW this would happen

Shiites aren't big on the rights of women. If they are, somebody show a link to me that they are.

[Opusnone]

21. I blame Iran

It should take roughly 150 years for US style democracy to take hold after the writing of the constitiution, but it's worth it. Freedom is on the march!

[Erika]

24. I haven't heard W or Laura bragging about freeing women

lately. What are they going to have to say when women's rights were set back decades by W's actions?