Women in Basra discuss the implications of the domestic violence and the prevailing clan character in the province

Sawtuha: Basrah

Within the Women’s Fund for Peace and Humanitarian Action project, the coordination of its Sawtuha Network in Basra, and in cooperation with the United Nations Women in Iraq, held three focus groups for the period 8-14 March 2020, the number of participants ranged from 20 to total the three groups 60 women from different segments of society.

The women’s focus groups discussed the problems and challenges that women face in Basra, which negatively affected their role in drawing and making public policies and implementing the national plan related to Resolution 1325, despite Basra’s location and economic capabilities represented by the ports and oil wells, but they suffer from many problems, the most important problem is the salty water that caused the desertification of agricultural lands, which weakened agricultural production in it. In addition to the lack of safe drinking water and the non-application of compulsory education, which led to a high illiteracy rate, especially for females, not to mention the low health level, the large number of cancer diseases, and the lack of health care, whether by providing medicine or by providing hospitals worthy of the governorate.

The societies also discussed family problems, especially marital status, and resorting to solving them through the clan. Often the blame falls on the woman and does not find anyone to support her, in addition to the early marriage, electronic extortion, and domestic violence, which so far lacks real solutions to preserve the family entity and its sustainability.

The three women’s focus groups have concluded a set of recommendations and policies to be adopted by the relevant official agencies, which will be published through an expanded report.