The Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI) was founded in 2003, and since its beginnings has proved itself as a truly pioneering organization. The OWFI is the only national women’s organization advocating for a secular society based on democracy and respect for human rights in accordance with international standards. The OWFI has launched the
Al Mousawat (Equality) Newspaper, the only written media outlet about women’s rights in Iraq with a modern egalitarian outlook. In addition, the OWFI has been acknowledged for its successful advocacy campaigns in Iraq and its creation of the country’s (Arabic part of the country) first ever women’s shelter.
The OWFI distinguishes itself by its three interconnected programs and services:
a) the women’s community centers,
b) the media and communications program and,
c) its women’s shelters.
| a) | The OWFI women’s centers bring women together from the wider community in order to strengthen women’s self esteem and leadership capacities as well as raise awareness about women’s rights. |
| b) | The media and communications program supports Al Mousawat, the most outspoken women’s rights newspaper in the country. In 2005, OWFI hopes to double Al Mousawat’s readership and production frequency as well as develop both radio and TV programs. All these media are intended to create social and political platforms for informing communities about the situation of women in Iraq and strategic opportunities for change (such as during the drafting of legislation). In addition to encouraging women to take active political and social roles these communication tools also inform women about activities of the OWFI centers and shelters. |
| c) | The women’s shelters protect women from violence and provide a critically needed safe haven from some of the most heinous forms of gender-based violence known as honour killings. The shelters also provide strength and security to women on their path to building self esteem and empowerment. Women who leave the shelters often stay in close communication with OWFI and its centers and become volunteers and activists for women’s rights. |
According to Amnesty International, violence against women and girls has sharply increased in Iraq compared to the period prior to last year’s war. Following the war, there was a complete breakdown of law and order. Even though the situation has generally improved since those initial months, the lack of security still remains a serious threat to the population. Many women and girls live under constant fear of being harassed, beaten, abducted, raped or murdered. Although the last war on Iraq promised to deliver freedom and prosperity to all women and men, the realities are very different. Hundreds of women have been raped and abducted in the insecure chaotic situation following the invasion. Also, millions of women workers and employees have lost their jobs as a result of the collapse of economy and the non-existence of social insurance programs.
Further, the political systems set up by the US administration have given authority to conservative forces who will become the majority of the Iraqi Interim National Assemly (the new parliament), which have actually lead to the abolition of important previously achieved advancements in the field of women’s rights in Iraq. Since the 1950’s, Iraqi women’s movements have worked to reduce the influence of religion over their lives. They have struggled to amend the civil law in ways to improve women’s lives. While they succeeded in forcing partial legislative reform, in the eighties and nineties Sadam Hussein’s Baath regime made sure that these gains were gradually revoked. Until the new millennium, the constitution was based on religion in personal status law and very oppressive to women. The best example is article 409-111 in the civil law that allows males to kill any female in the family based on the mere prospect that she has shamed the family’s honour through forms of sexual relations, even if that included rape. The current temporary constitution (approved by the Coalition Provisional Authorities, CPA) has not improved the family law in the favour of women. It indicates that Islamic Shari’a is the main source of legislation. And while equality is mentioned, the temporary constitution emphasizes that it is primarily based on religious law (Shari’a) which views women as inferior to men. For example, under Shari’a law one man equals four women in marriage, one man equals two women in inheritance, and men are responsible for any decision making regarding women’s education, work and life.
Although Iraqi women were promised freedom and democracy, their situation has deteriorated dramatically since the invasion. Religious mobs sponsored by Iran and Saudi Arabia turned into legitimate political parties under the eyes of American troops. In their areas of influence, no women are allowed to wear modern clothes or go without a veil. A vacuum in power has given opportunities to religious forces to politicize Islam, bring back traditional lifestyles and take away women’s voices and their rights. The only women’s voices allowed in mainstream media and in politics are those that defend patriarchal and religious values.
The role of OWFI is to build up a qualified base of women activists that can promote and lead democratisation processes towards achieving women’s human rights. The staff and volunteers of the OWFI centers reach out to schools, universities and workplaces and conduct gatherings and meetings to feed and inform communities about the possibilities of a new Iraq. The OWFI media outlets provide exposure to women’s rights information on a national scale. Finally, the functioning shelters provide alternatives to women escaping from violence, create a space for them to rebuild their self esteem as well as enlarge the supportive community and movement for personal growth and societal change.
Since its founding in June 2003, the OWFI has been able to celebrate a number of successes. On March 8th 2004, at the Al Ferdawse square where Sadam Hussein’s statue came down, OWFI organized a march attended by approximately 1000 demonstrators – mostly freedom-seeking women. These protesters denounced the signing of the constitution happening that very day that reinforced Shari’a Law. Another example is the campaign against the abductions of women of July 24th, 2003 (covered by local and international media) calling on all authorities to take responsibility for this particular form of violation of women’s human rights. OWFI’s leaders also publicly denounced resolution 137, which was forwarded by the Iraqi Governing Council and would have legalized discrimination of women in all social and administrative aspects of civil life. While this lobby was successful and the resolution withdrawn, this pursuit did result in two death threats directed to the president of OWFI, Yanar Mohammed. A final example of success related to the group of 50 women cashiers of a bank in Iraq who were accused of counterfeiting large amounts of money. They contacted the OWFI after they were all detained and hundreds more threatened with the same. OWFI took it upon itself to organize these women and defend them in negotiation sessions with U.S. officials. It turned out that the Ministry of Finance wrongfully accused these women and the final result was the release of the 50 women from jail and an end to the detainment of hundreds of others. The investigation further led to the imprisonment of the corrupt official in March 2004. These few examples highlight OWFI’s stance and reputation as the only women’s voice in Iraq never to compromise on women’s rights, at a time when other women’s groups have applauded the CPA and religious political parties for their efforts.
The OWFI centers aim at creating a strong and free women’s voice and representation that plays a strong and constructive role in the democratisation process. The centers are premised on the belief that women’s issues cannot be undermined when there is a strong base of well connected OWFI women activists positioned all over Iraq.
In the coming years, the main activities of these centers will be to hold seminars in various educational facilities and work places in order to expose women to their human rights and conscientize them with regards to domestic abuse and situations of exploitation. Staff and volunteers of the centers will also be monitoring human rights abuses, including in prison facilities and honour killings.
Similarly, the centers goals of creating political awareness and providing civic education will enable women to take part in political processes. The OWFI intends to make sure that women are well informed about the agenda’s of the different parties when they vote, especially in relation to women’s rights. Creating political awareness also includes encouraging women to become candidates themselves when the right time for voting comes around, i.e. fair elections take place. Participation of women in our leadership program (see below) will improve their performance and also the likelihood of women playing a leadership role in directing a new women’s movement towards a better and more egalitarian society.
The centers will also produce and distribute booklets and brochures about women’s rights, with a special focus on women living in strict traditional environments who are not allowed to leave their homes. These booklets will explain the expected role of the constitution and democratic process in improving women’s lives and explain the importance of women’s leadership roles in politics and the wider society.
OWFI’s leadership program further prepares women for periods of peace and economic growth. In the last decade, the levels of education and professional training have been poor. Furthermore, religious influences have discouraged women to advance in their careers, stay employed or further their education. Many young girls were denied access to secondary education and even university graduates do not possess proficient language and administrative skills. Based on this, OWFI will offer monthly and quarterly programs for women to enhance their technical skills, namely in language training (English and advanced Arabic) and computer literacy programs. Job-placement services for women who have graduated from this leadership program will also be part of this program.
Although the OWFI centers have an immediate effect on their members, in order to reach out to and influence larger numbers of women and men at the national level, the OWFI has developed a comprehensive media and communications program. This media and communication program is run out of the Baghdad women’s center.
Al Mousawat Newspaper: The periodical Al Mousawat (Equality) has been able to infiltrate Iraq from North to South with unprecedented support from women in the modern history in Baghdad. This bi-monthly newspaper specializes in monitoring women’s rights in Iraq in relation to the constitution, street security, and protection from religious fanatics who threaten the lives of unveiled women. It challenges society at large to open up to an international human rights culture that respects women as full human beings. A section of the newspaper is reserved for personal stories of recent killings and abuses of women by their own families. Many individuals in Iraq contact Al Mousawat and offer support because they want to see the realisation of an open and free society where women enjoy the highest level of self-esteem and human rights. In the next year, the OWFI plans to turn Al Mousawat into a monthly newspaper, double the number of copies printed (from 10,000 to 20,000) and improve the graphic quality and paper.
Women’s radio and TV: OWFI aims to develop women’s programs that address many aspects of women’s lives, starting from the domestic realm, elaborating on women’s situation at work as well as their role in the democratic political process. Addressing these issues and active promotion of women’s right to education and work and making their own decisions about their personal lives are matters that no other radio stations touch on. Educating the general public to the horrible nature of ancient habits such as honour killings will be a fundamental goal of this program as well.
So far OWFI activists appearing on radio and TV have been able to draw large numbers of viewers and listeners. From this it may be concluded that if OWFI were to start its own (uncensored) programs they would be able to attract a large audience. OWFI therefore seeks to buy air time from other radio and satellite TV stations (in 2005) and eventually seeks to have their own satellite TV and radio station.
Empowerment of women and the promotion of self esteem are futile if a woman is living in an abusive environment. In April 2004 OWFI opened safe houses in Baghdad and in Kirkuk where women could escape honour killings as well as severe domestic abuse. These shelters are spacious houses rented within residential areas so they do not attract any attention. Each of these houses are managed by one of the activists; a member of the Local Committee on the Status of Women. This member lives with her family in the same house on a separate floor than the residents. There are guards at all times in and around the house in case any of the angry spouses finds his way to the house. The upper floor has a common living area with entertainment such as music and television.
The Al Mousawat Newspaper advertises about the shelters and its services and a telephone hotline number exists for intake. These houses provide shelter for up to 12 months during which tuition programs and trauma counselling are made available. After one year, women are taken to another city where OWFI assists them in their resettlement in society, for example by assisting them in finding work. From OWFI’s experience, many of these women turn into diligent activists that eventually run executive positions in the OWFI.
Although women’s shelters do not contribute directly to the economic and political advancement of women in a society, they empower women socially and allow a good percentage of women a second chance for a better life and personal development. For many, the shelters represent an important historic landmark in the history of women’s movements in Iraq. In fact, the mere knowledge that there is a shelter that values women’s lives more than any traditional norm is a revolutionary concept for many Iraqis and in the long run a major step towards equality.
Women in Iraq are suffering in different ways than men because of a political and social scene that is controlled by reactionary fundamentalist forces. The OWFI is the only group positioned – and determined enough – to demand women’s rights, end honour killings and demand full equality between women and men, despite all constraints and considerations imposed on women in general and the OWFI in particular.
Iraq is at a turning point in history. If citizens take this historical opportunity Iraq could indeed become a democratic society with respect for women’s human rights. The OWFI is a strategic and innovative force, not afraid to take risks and equipped with the right vision, strategy and practical services and outreach tools to play a pivotal role. Financial support however is a crucial requirement for the OWFI to realize its role and ambitious agenda.
