Proquest Dissertations
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
NOTE TO USERS This reproduction is the best copy available. TJMI IRAQI WOMEN: MECHANISMS OF OVERSHADOWING, SUBORDINATION AND INFERIORIZATION by Awatef T. Rasheed A Thesis Submitted to Saint Mary's University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Women's Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University Saint Mary's University October, 2008, Halifax, Nova Scotia © Copyright by Awatef Rasheed, 2008 Approved by Dr. Linda Christiansen-Ruffman Supervisor Dr. Anne Marie Dalton Member Dr. Azza Anis Examiner Date: October 6, 2008 Library and Archives Bibliothgque et 1*1 Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de l'6dition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-71812-4 Our file Notre r6f6rence ISBN: 978-0-494-71812-4 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'lnternet, preter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le loan, distribute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non- support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. The author retains copyright L'auteur conserve la propriete du droit d'auteur ownership and moral rights in this et des droits moraux qui protege cette these. Ni thesis. Neither the thesis nor la these ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci substantial extracts from it may be ne doivent etre imprimes ou autrement printed or otherwise reproduced reproduits sans son autorisation. without the author's permission. In compliance with the Canadian Conformement a la loi canadienne sur la Privacy Act some supporting forms protection de la vie privee, quelques may have been removed from this formulaires secondaires ont ete enleves de thesis. cette these. While these forms may be included Bien que ces formulaires aient inclus dans in the document page count, their la pagination, il n'y aura aucun contenu removal does not represent any loss manquant. of content from the thesis. 1+1 Canada 1 IRAQI WOMEN: MECHANISMS OF OVERSHADOWING, SUBORDINATION AND INFERIORIZATION By Awatef T. Rasheed Abstract This thesis uses a feminist perspective to analyse the local and global conditions that affect Iraqi women's lives and the history of women's movements. It investigates the mechanisms that overshadow, subordinate and inferiorize Iraqi women in both the public and private realms. These mechanisms of women's oppression are rooted in old and new forms of patriarchy which have taken on different forms in times of war and peace. In this thesis, I combine reflections on personal experiences as an Iraqi who lived the majority of her life in Iraq, and research in the available literature, both political and feminist. I introduce evidence of social and religious mechanisms, state mechanisms and global mechanisms which oppress Iraqi women, including sexuality as well as violence, such as rape, blackmailing, and sex trafficking. I draw attention to women's oppression during the catastrophic effects of wars and the negative consequences of patriarchal political and economic power on women's health and security. This thesis also emphasizes women's resistance and agency, the role of women's empowerment on the grassroots level and the anticipated contribution of women and women's organizations to advance women's rights and feminist scholarship in Iraq. October 6, 2008 11 Acknowledgments I should like to thank the brave women who have supported and enabled me to rise from the ashes as a woman-without-a-country, who have enlightened me, and encouraged me to educate myself further, so that I could write about Iraqi women's realities and experiences. There have been many in the course of the past years since my flight from Iraq who have played a role and to whom I am grateful. For brevity's sake, I single out only four. Hanaa Edward of the Iraqi Al-Amal Association, and Julie Shaw (Urgent Action Fund) for their support at a critical time. Their actions saved my life and that of three of my daughters. Dr. Linda Christiansen-Ruffman I thank especially, for understanding my trauma, for introducing me to feminist knowledge and gender academic research, as well as to Canadian women's activism, and for empowering me to speak out. The thesis would have been impossible without her. And last but not least, Janet Kirkconnell, for her constant support and love since my family's arrival in Canada. She impressed and inspired me to give to those who need us, regardless of race and class. iii Table of Contents Abstract i Acknowledgement ii Arabic Glossary vii Introduction 1 Theoretical Approaches 4 Methodological Considerations 10 Overview of Thesis 12 Chapter One: Personal Experiences and Reflections 16 Social/ Religious Mechanisms Subordinating Women 16 Marriage and Reproduction 23 Responsibility of Social and Family Honour: Honour Killing 28 Rape and Sexual Harassment 30 State Mechanisms of Subordinating Women 31 Education 34 Employment 37 Global / International Mechanisms Subordinating Women 40 Wars and Economic Sanctions 40 Refuge Seekers 47 Conclusion 50 iv Chapter Two: Iraqi Women: Emancipation and Mechanisms Overshadowing their Organizations 52 Women's Emancipation: Resisting Male Superiority 53 Women and Iraqi Politics 1958-2004 60 Women's Organizations and their Establishment 66 Major Women's Organizations 70 Iraqi League for the Defence of Women 71 General Federation for Iraqi Women 74 Iraqi Al-Amal Association 79 Independent Iraqi Women's Organization 81 Kurdish Women's Movement 82 Assyrian Women's Movement 86 Iraqi Islamic Da'wa Party's Women's Group 88 Other Organizations 89 Analysis and Conclusion 90 Chapter Three: Social and Political Mechanisms Subordinating Women 93 Social/ Religious Mechanisms Subordinating Women 93 Discrimination Against Women: From the Legal Framework of the Assyrian Code to Contemporary Social Mechanisms 99 Social Divisions and Conflicts within Iraq: Patriarchal Implications for Women 102 PerpetuatioEthnic / Religioun of Socias Diversitl Patriarchiey and Conflicts becaus: e of Conflicts 103 Iii-Group Patriarchies and Cross-Cultural Divisions Class/ Urban/ Secular 108 Reinforcing the Power of In-group Patriarchies 111 State and Secular Mechanisms Affecting Women's Education and Employment 112 Women's Education 112 Women's Employment 115 Education and Employment within patriarchy 117 Women's Political Participation 120 Conclusion 122 Chapter Four: Impact of Wars on Women in Iraq: Mechanisms of Creating New Forms of Patriarchy and Perpetuation of Women's Subordination 124 Regional and Global Interferences 124 Iraqi Wars and the Overshadowing of Women 125 Women and the Militarization of Iraq 131 Global Markets of Weapons 132 Women as Victims of Regional Interferences 135 Economic Impact of War on Women 139 State Mechanisms at Wars 142 State Policy-making during and after War and Implications for Women 142 Women's Education and Employment 147 Rape and Blackmailing 151 Sex Trafficking 157 vi Social Norms and Security Resulting from Wars 160 Conclusion: Wars and Patriarchy in Iraq 163 Summary 166 Conclusion 170 References 179 Vll Glossary of Arabic & Islamic Terms AI-Da'wa Party: The major religious/ political party in Iraq. It derived its name from the word Al-Da'wa; that is, inviting others to Islam = missionary work. Al-Rabita: League for the Defence of Women's Rights. Anfal: Iraqi Government's Anfal operations in the Kurdish northern area. The word" Anfal" is taken from a Qur'anic Ayah, which requires the believers to be both spiritually and materially prepared to face the enemies of Allah. Atthawra: The Revolution Newspaper, the major newspaper in Iraq. Ay at Allah: Ayah is a miracle and a sign. The Qur'an is itself considered to be a miracle. Each verse or sentence is called an Ayah or a miracle. Khumainy was given this title to suggest his superior position. Ba'ath/ Baa'th: The only party that ruled Iraq from 1968 until the most recent war in 2003. Ba'athist: A member of the Baa'th party. Dirham: Nickel. Dar al - tufula: House of Childhood. Dishdasha: Men's long and wide dress. Eiqal: part of the Arab men's head cover. FasI: Settlement of a dispute. Fasliyat: Women given and enslaved according to Fasl marriage if the dispute involved or would have involved the shedding of blood. Fatwa: Legal opinion concerning law in Islam. Fatwa is usually issued by religious clerics depending on their own interpretation. Feda'iyye Saddam, A militia created in 1994 by 'Uday Saddam Hussein, used swords to execute the victims in front of their homes. Some victims were reportedly killed for political reasons. Fitna; Fitnah: Civil strife; war; riots. Hadith: Reports on the sayings and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad or what he witnessed and approved are called Hadith. These are the real explanation, interpretation, and the living example of the Prophet for teachings of the Qur'an. His sayings are found in books called the Hadith books. Iraqi intifada: Iraqi upraising in March 1991 after the first Gulf War. Istimta': To derive benefit. Any benefit derived from a person or from wealth, property, assets, etc. According to Arabic grammar, it is the root of any word that has the meaning of seeking. Based on this lexical explanation, the simple and straight sense of the Qur'anic expression, Istamta'tum (you have benefited), is understood by the entire Muslim ummah (population) from the revered early elders to their successors and followers.