Women In Iraq

     The United States long ago gave equal rights to women. This has not been true in all coutries, however. Women in Iraq face unequal treatment today due to unfair domination of male rule. The Quran of the Islamic religion was first interpreteted by men (Radford), so many of its teachings are more beneficial and give more power to men. This unequal treatment is present in countries in which there is "fundamentalist rule," meaning where men's interpretations of the Quran and Islamic religion have been the reasons and structure for law (Hughes). Even since the American and British invasion of Iraq in 2003, women are subjected to unfair treatment (Pina). This unfair treatment includes women being forced into sexual slavery, as well as being beaten, burned, raped, and murdered (Lattimer). Women often accept this treatment, simply because they have no other option. However, some women also run, with or without their children, and are forced to to protect themselves or find shelter (Lattimer). While international aid groups are located in Iraq, specifically to improve women's rights, many of these programs have removed memnbers from Iraq, as they fear their own members may be attacked (Offernhauer). Since Islam is deeply rooted in many of these Iraqi women's cultures, it can be hard to save them from these injustices, but there is hope. One way women could be better protected in Iraq is to have better security in the country (Lattimer). Another way to solve this injustice could be offering education to men, women, and children in Iraq. Teaching this coutnry and its people that women are valued and treated equally in developed countries today could be an example for Iraq to follow. By valuing their women, Iraq could once again be considered very advanced in liberal thinking (Brown), and serve as a light for its surrounding countries to follow.