Traditions obstacle to Iraqi women

Dr. Ibtihal Kassid al-Zaidi Baghdad - Jaafar Nassrawi    The Iraqi Minister of State for Women's Affairs Dr. Ibtihal Kassid al-Zaidi said that customs and traditions are the major challenges that face Iraqi women, stressing that the Iraqi government is trying to eliminate gender bias in society. Al-Zaidi told ‘Arabstoday’ in an exclusive interview that Iraqi Constitution includes all international agreements signed by Iraq, and doesn’t discriminate between man and women in Iraqi society, only some notes regarding the masculine form. She added that, Iraq was one of the first countries to grant women the right to work, the right to vote and run in elections, as well as, the first female judge in the Arab World was the Iraqi Asma Sidqi Zahawi, 1923. Iraqi women are represented in all areas of government. Al-Zaidi said that the Iraqi government through the Ministry of Women is drawing a national strategy to eliminate violence against women, and enacting a law to protect women from domestic violence, which will work for advancement of women, and enhancing women’s role in society, pointing out that the Iraqi government approved in the Constitution in 2005 item provides the quota of women by at least 25 per cent in the legislative councils, and appointed women in many ministries as well as establishing a higher committee for advancement of women. AlZaidi pointed out that the ministry of state for women's affairs is working continually to improve the conditions forfemale prisoners and victims of family violence, and the ministry celebrated in the  International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and invited the Prime Minister who stressed the needs to improve female prisoners conditions. Regarding the freedom of women in Iraq, Al-Zaidi confirmed that Iraqi law does not restrict the freedom of women, by imposing ideas or dress code, while restrictions on Iraqi women come from the society's culture, customs and traditions, which are the major challenges that face Iraqi women, and the ministry drew its strategy for the advancement of women, explaining that improving women conditions in the society doesn’t relate to freedom only, but it includes providing the basic needs such as education and health care. Al-Zaidi said that Iraqi Ministry of State for Women's Affairs doesn’t have its budget, but it affiliated to the Cabinet, pointing out that the law of establishing a Ministry of Women has been discussed in the Parliament, expressing her hope to vote in favor of establishing an independent Ministry of Women. In another context, Al-Zaidi denied what was reported about Iraqi women in 2003 that they forced to work in “prostitution” abroad, stressing that there were thousands of Iraqi women who lived harsh conditions and without working in “prostitution”.