NIQASH: What about going to the appropriate authorities with these kinds of complaints?
Abdul-Ali: The law is not properly implemented because the authorities have no interest in these kinds of complaints. And in fact, it’s often the security personnel doing the harassing. So now women do not trust the army or security forces. Instead of being a source of security, they have become a cause for concern.
NIQASH: So what are some of your proposed solutions to these kinds of problems?
Abdul-Ali: On the Facebook page we discuss many ideas and how we could change people’s perceptions and the way women are treated in Iraqi society. Iraqi society thinks women are just there to satisfy the sexual desires of men. Which is why one of our first campaigns has been about convincing mothers not to let their daughters marry unless they’re older. We’re also working on amending some of the local laws that undermine women’s status and their dignity.
NIQASH: In this regard, which are the most important laws for you, the ones you want to change?
Abdul-Ali: As a human rights activist, the first law I would change is Article 409 of the Iraqi penal code, which relates to honour killings – if a man finds his wife or lover in bed with another man, for instance.
The second law I would change is Article 9 of the Personal Status Code, which allows a father, brother or uncle to sell related females in compensation for a crime and which also allows a male relative to trade a female relative for another woman in marriage [that is, if the man wishes to marry another man’s sister, for instance, then he can force his sister to marry the other man as part of the deal].
There are also laws that allow husbands to leave their wives without any compensation and others which give any presiding judge good reason to simply ignore a wife’s lawsuit if her husband leaves her without justification after a short period of time.
Then there is a polygamy law where men may marry more than one woman if the husband is able to provide for both spouses. However this law doesn’t apply to widows.
There’s also discrimination within the country’s political spectrum. A quota says that there should be 25 percent female participation in the Iraqi Parliament. However this quota actually limits female participation.
NIQASH: Considering what Iraqi society is like – it can be deeply conservative – do you actually think you’re likely to achieve any of your ambitions?
Abdul-Ali: I am going to try my best. I have wanted to do this ever since I was younger and I will try and make this happen by creating an institution that can defend women’s rights in this male-dominated society. I am going to submit petitions to Iraqi MPs demanding that discriminatory laws be amended and I am also trying to drum up as much popular support as possible.
To see the Facebook campaign, please click here.
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