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Key
issues affecting the future role of women remain a
mystery to many, while others just don't care
because daily life is so tough.
Suad Abdul-Hameed was confused when asked what she
thought the word "constitution" meant. "Is it the
place where [Prime Minister Ibrahim] al-Jaafari
works?" she asked falteringly.
Abdul-Hameed is just one of many women in Iraq who
say they don't know anything about the constitution
or what it might mean for their rights.
Iraqis are scheduled to vote on the constitution,
which is being drawn up by the National Assembly,
during an October referendum. If a two-thirds
majority in three of Iraq's 18 governorates
disapproves of the constitution, the charter will be
rejected.
Women's rights activists have protested over
proposed wording in the constitution that would give
Islam a central role in the state as "the main
source of legislation". They think that the document
should say that Islam is "a main source" of laws.
That would give more leeway to those involved in
drafting and implementing new laws to ensure that
women are accorded the same rights as men.
But while the politically aware comb through the
finer points of the constitution, large swathes of
the population, particularly women, have missed out
on the debate and have little idea what the point of
it is.
"There's a great lack of awareness among Iraqi women
about what the constitution is, and what their
rights are in it," said Jinan Mubarak, head of the
Iraqi Centre for Women's Qualifications and
Employment.
Her centre is currently holding workshops, involving
participants from more than 20 government
ministries, to make women more aware of their
constitutional rights and encourage them to take
part in the political process.
Civil servant Dhikra Ali recently attended one of
the workshops, which she said was helpful and
offered a "good introduction".
"But I wonder whether there are actually people who
will protect these issues?" she asked.
"We have to explain to women what their rights are
and what their duties are in the state," commented
lawyer Ali Ahmed.
Others insist that whatever the final wording in the
constitution, there are much more important issues
for the government to concentrate on.
"I don't know why there is this row over the
constitution," said Jinan Muhammed, a female civil
servant. "The government should provide security,
stability and public services instead of focusing on
all this."
Khawla Kamal, a primary school teacher, agreed,
"It's true that knowledge about the new constitution
is a good thing - but what matters more is that the
government should provide security, water and
electricity."
Zaineb Naji is an IWPR contributor in Iraq
www.iwpr.net
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