article · Issue No. 4, April 1949 · p. 56 p. 57
THE WOMEN OF MODERN IRAQ
THE WOMEN OF MODERN IRAQ · Mrs. Fadil Jamali
(A condensation of en article : by Mrs. FADIL JAMALI)
It can safely be said that before World War I there was no women's movement in Iraq. This is not surprising considering that during the period of the Ottoman Empire there was only one official elementary school for girls, which, however, would not admit more than ten students.
The tremendous advance made by Iraqi women since the formation of the national government and the achievement of Iraqi independence in 1924, testifies to the good-will of the government and the natural ability of the women. Educational opportunities now extend from the kindergarten up to the highest academic degrees. The government scholarships for study abroad are open to girls on an equal footing with boys. Thus, you now find among the women in Iraq fully qualified doctors, lawyers, pharmacists and teachers, all holding responsible government positions.
It is true that these opportunities for women have not yet become nation-wide in their scope, yet a nucleus of a very active and promising feminist movement is at present making itself felt in the Iraqi nationalist life.
It should be further noted here that the legal rights of the modern women of Iraq are guaranteed in the constitution such that there can be no discrimination against them in government appointments and civil service jobs. There is no legal bar to the advancement of women. The door of opportunity is wide open for Iraqi women.
The beginnings of club activities had been slow and gradual, but a sudden release of energy followed the Cairo Women's Conference of December 1944. At last the accumulated force of the educated women broke the bonds of tradition and inertia to move for the reconstruction of their country. Thus, the younger generation of the Iraqi women are necessarily at the helm of the modern women's movement in Iraq.
At least twenty active women's organizations are today effective in Iraqi society. It is beyond the scope of this brief sketch to describe each organization separately. They are all concerned with social and welfare work.
Five of these societies decided, in 1945, to found «The Women's Federation of Iraq» for the triple purpose of, 1) mutually assisting one another in their work, 2) having a representative body through which they might be linked with their sisters in other Arab countries and with international organizations, and 3) establishing a cultural center for women. In the last aim they have been extremely fortunate for the government, about two years ago, handed over to the Union a club house and grounds for their meetings and social gatherings. Mrs. Asia Wehbi is the President of the Iraqi Women's Federation.
«Iraqi women are engaged in twofold activities», writes Mrs. Jamali. «Those who are advanced seek, on the one hand, further self improvement and on the other the improvement of society. It is their aim to look inward to themselves and outward to the task of building the nation and contributing to the solidarity and advancement of the neighbouring Arab States and wider still to the world as a whole».
«It is a wonderful growth and development, quick and sturdy, self-willed and self-directed, national and international».
(A condensation of en article : by Mrs. FADIL JAMALI)
It can safely be said that before World War I there was no women's movement in Iraq. This is not surprising considering that during the period of the Ottoman Empire there was only one official elementary school for girls, which, however, would not admit more than ten students.
The tremendous advance made by Iraqi women since the formation of the national government and the achievement of Iraqi independence in 1924, testifies to the good-will of the government and the natural ability of the women. Educational opportunities now extend from the kindergarten up to the highest academic degrees. The government scholarships for study abroad are open to girls on an equal footing with boys. Thus, you now find among the women in Iraq fully qualified doctors, lawyers, pharmacists and teachers, all holding responsible government positions.
It is true that these opportunities for women have not yet become nation-wide in their scope, yet a nucleus of a very active and promising feminist movement is at present making itself felt in the Iraqi nationalist life.
It should be further noted here that the legal rights of the modern women of Iraq are guaranteed in the constitution such that there can be no discrimination against them in government appointments and civil service jobs. There is no legal bar to the advancement of women. The door of opportunity is wide open for Iraqi women.
MRS. ASIA WEHBI
President of « The Women's Federation of Iraq ».
MRS. MAYDA HAYDARI MAHMOUD
Observer of the Iraqi Government to the « Commission on the Status of Women » and Delegate to the Conference of Women's Organizations in the Middle East.
The beginnings of club activities had been slow and gradual, but a sudden release of energy followed the Cairo Women's Conference of December 1944. At last the accumulated force of the educated women broke the bonds of tradition and inertia to move for the reconstruction of their country. Thus, the younger generation of the Iraqi women are necessarily at the helm of the modern women's movement in Iraq.
At least twenty active women's organizations are today effective in Iraqi society. It is beyond the scope of this brief sketch to describe each organization separately. They are all concerned with social and welfare work.
Five of these societies decided, in 1945, to found «The Women's Federation of Iraq» for the triple purpose of, 1) mutually assisting one another in their work, 2) having a representative body through which they might be linked with their sisters in other Arab countries and with international organizations, and 3) establishing a cultural center for women. In the last aim they have been extremely fortunate for the government, about two years ago, handed over to the Union a club house and grounds for their meetings and social gatherings. Mrs. Asia Wehbi is the President of the Iraqi Women's Federation.
«Iraqi women are engaged in twofold activities», writes Mrs. Jamali. «Those who are advanced seek, on the one hand, further self improvement and on the other the improvement of society. It is their aim to look inward to themselves and outward to the task of building the nation and contributing to the solidarity and advancement of the neighbouring Arab States and wider still to the world as a whole».
«It is a wonderful growth and development, quick and sturdy, self-willed and self-directed, national and international».
MISS SYRIA KHOJA
A member of the Iraqi Delegation to the UNO, General Assembly, September 1947. At her left, is His Excellency Dr. Fadil Jamali, Alternate head of delegation.
MRS. YUSUF GHANMA
President of «the Friends of the Poor» Society, wearing the Red-Crescent medal.
MRS. ROSE KHADDOURI
President of «The House of the People» Society.
Translation and transcription are machine-made and may contain errors. See it on the page.