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The
threat of honour killings means most sex crimes go
unreported in Iraq.
Having survived the trauma of being raped and beaten
by a family friend, Dilzar then narrowly escaped
death at the hands of her father.
Although her attacker agreed to marry her and pay
250 million dinars (170,000 US dollars) in
compensation, Dilzar's father felt the shame brought
upon the family was too great and planned to murder
her in an honour killing.
Dilzar, not her real name, escaped and was rescued
by Asuda, a Sulaimaniyah-based NGO that protects
women who have faced sexual violence or mental
abuse.
Although there are no accurate statistics available,
women's groups say rape is increasing in Iraq -
because of the lawlessness that is plaguing the
country and the male-dominated nature of society.
Kawsar Hasan Nadir, who heads the social section at
the government-linked Kurdistan Women's Union,
documented more than 50 rape cases in 2004.
However, because women like Dilzar are often
threatened by their families if they admit they've
been raped, most sex crimes go unreported.
Rezheen, 18, became pregnant after being sexually
assaulted by her neighbour but kept the attack
secret from her parents.
During the early months of her pregnancy, she was
taken to Sulaimaniyah Hospital with pains in her
stomach and when a doctor revealed her secret, her
father and brothers tried to kill her. Thinking
quickly, the doctor said he had made a mistake and
Rezheen was not pregnant. "My family went crazy so
the doctor hid the baby from them," said Rezheen.
Asuda got involved, arranging a marriage between
Rezheen and her neighbour and travel to Iran where
they'll stay until after the child is born.
Some from outside Iraq's borders also come to Asuda
for help.
Nigar, 35, ran away to Iraqi Kurdistan from her
native Iran after she quarreled with her husband.
She was raped by her taxi driver "because I had no
money" and when she became pregnant turned to Asuda.
"I stayed with Asuda for nine months and then went
back to Iran to have the baby there," she said. "My
husband doesn't know that the baby isn't his."
Deedar Bahadeen, a social worker at Asuda, thinks
education programmes in schools to promote equality
between the sexes would help overcome society's
attitudes to rape victims. "The parents lack
awareness in raising girls so the girls have
problems," said Bahadeen.
Sieran Rostem, of the Saya Organisation, which
combats gender discrimination and violence against
women, agrees women need to be educated about their
rights. "They also need sex education and
information about women's health,"
said Rostem.
Ismael Osman is an IWPR trainee in Iraq.
www.iwpr.net
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