Riyam, you are an advocate for women’s rights. Why does this matter to you personally?
Women’s rights are important to me because I don’t want to be treated as a second-class citizen just because of my gender. When I was around 14, I was eager to join in discussions about politics with my male relatives at a family gathering. Despite my enthusiasm and knowledge, I was repeatedly interrupted. They dismissed me as this was a “men’s discussion”. Their reactions made it painfully clear that my voice was considered to be less valuable simply because I was a girl.
Around the same time, my passion for basketball was stifled because my mother would first seek my brother’s approval whenever I wanted to practise. She used his reservations as a reason to prevent me from participating. It was deeply frustrating to see my pursuits and choices diminished by male authority, despite my dedication and hard work.
These experiences made me aware of how women and girls are often treated as second-class citizens, with their passions and voices sidelined by outdated norms. Women have so much to contribute, but we are still fighting for basic rights which have yet to be granted.
Women and girls are often treated as second-class citizens, with their passions and voices sidelined by outdated norms. Women have so much to contribute, but we are still fighting for basic rights which have yet to be granted.
Ream Hayder
Which basic rights are women currently missing in Iraq?
There is no specific law which criminalizes domestic violence. Instead, the "Iraqi Penal Code" applies in those cases, which hinders an effective legal response. For instance, it reduces the sentence for "honour killings" to a maximum of three years, treating these serious crimes as mere misdemeanours. It also permits husbands to "discipline" their wives, undermining women's protection and contributing to the persistence of gender-based violence.
Also, newly proposed amendments to the Personal Status Law seek to lower the legal age of marriage to as young as nine. This would not only undermine the protection of young girls from early and potentially exploitative marriages but also ignore international standards set by conventions like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The current legal framework fails to prioritize the welfare of victims and survivors. There is a pressing need for comprehensive legislation that explicitly criminalizes all forms of gender-based violence and provides robust support systems, aligning with international human rights standards.
What about women’s representation in politics?
It remains a serious concern. The Iraqi Constitution has a 25% quota for women in ministerial and parliamentary positions, but this has not resulted in proportional representation. Women have struggled to secure leadership positions and continue to face systemic barriers rooted in patriarchal attitudes and political factionalism. This contradicts the UN’s requirements for equal participation in public and political life.
You work for the Yazidi Organisation for Documentation. How does your organization support women, especially those that survived the violence of the 2014 Yazidi genocide*?
One of our core activities is empowering survivors of sexual violence to advocate for their rights in front of international bodies or in legal settings. I worked closely with them to prepare and present their testimonies. This involves coaching them on how to articulate their experiences effectively. That way, we can pursue justice and hold the perpetrators accountable.
Ensuring psychological support for the trauma they have experienced is crucial as well. We connect survivors with national and international service providers, such as psychological support, livelihood programs and rehabilitation services. Our efforts help overcome the stigma and fear that deter women from seeking help, ensuring they receive comprehensive support tailored to their needs.
Our efforts help overcome the stigma and fear that deter women from seeking help
Ream Hayder
What was your biggest success so far?
We document the Yazidi genocide and the atrocities committed by ISIS. A notable example of our impact is the successful conviction of an ISIS perpetrator, made possible through our detailed evidence. I was directly involved in collecting and compiling evidence-based information, especially for cases of sexual and gender-based violence, that we shared with relevant departments and international NGOs. This case underscores the crucial role our advocacy and support efforts play in ensuring justice for survivors and holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
Editor's note:
*In 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) began a genocide against the Yazidis of Sinjar (Iraq). ISIS killed men as well as older women; boys were enslaved as child soldiers, younger women and girls were enslaved and systematically abused. According to the UN, 5,000-10,000 Yazidis were killed and over 7,000 women abducted. The UN recognises the crimes as a genocide. To this day, thousands of women are being held captive.
The CrossCulture Programme (CCP) enables professionals and committed volunteers to think outside of the cultural box! The fellowship recipients gain professional experience in host organizations in Germany or in one of the over 40 partner countries. The goal of the occupational stays abroad is to strengthen lasting civil society networks between Germany and countries across the globe.
