Iraq disqualifies women's rights activists from running in elections

Both Samarrai and Jawad are controversial figures in Iraq for their staunch advocacy of women’s rights and freedoms, criticism of Iran-affiliated armed groups, and opposition to the contentious amendments to the Personal Status Law which were passed in February.

News

US foreign aid freeze sparks crisis in Iraq’s civil society, women’s rights sector

A sweeping executive order by President Donald Trump to freeze US foreign aid for 90 days has triggered chaos in Iraq’s humanitarian sector. The halt has crippled development and relief projects, forced NGOs to shut down, and left hundreds of staff unemployed, particularly affecting women’s empowerment initiatives.

Features

Four activists arrested in Iran’s Sanandaj for marking International Women’s Day

The New Region has learnt that after the arrest of the four activists, other women who attended the ceremony have gone into hiding over fear of arrest, with the number of arrests excepted to increase.

News

Turkish police detain around 200 after feminist night march in Istanbul: organizers

Turkish police detained at least 200 demonstrators in Istanbul late on Saturday, after over 3,000 women marking International Women’s Day marched through the city center

News

Kurdish leaders reiterate commitment to women’s rights on International Women’s Day

Despite measures from authorities, the Kurdistan Region continues to suffer from high rates of gender-based violence, including domestic violence, sexual violence, and honor killings

News

2024: A year of setbacks and disappointments for women in Iraq

From domestic violence, to honor killings, to the legislation of highly-regressive laws, 2024 was a year of disappointments and hardships for Iraqi women

Features

Femicide perpetrators excluded from general amnesties: KRG minister

The Kurdistan Region still suffers from high rates of GBV and femicide

News

Life as a girl in Iraq amid parliamentary bill legalizing child marriage

OPINION: The amendments of Iraq’s Personal Status law not only should be immediately rejected but challenged based on legal and constitutional grounds. The advocates of the amendment should be questioned for calling for child rape and pedophilia, which are against Iraq’s constitution, and the nation’s moral and societal standards.

Bakhan Qadir

Opinion

What’s behind the increase in Iraqi men seeking Syrian wives?

The trend of Iraqi men marrying Syrian women is evident, with 5,000 marriage contracts recorded in 2023 as per the Syrian Ambassador to Iraq, Sattam Jadaan al-Dandah.

Features