WMST: Gender, Globalization and Militarization, Research Paper Example

Introduction

The inequalities of genders in Arabic countries are viewed by western societies through the knowledge they hold about a modern society. However, according to Al-Ali (2009), there is a process of ongoing change that can be identified when examining the views of Iraqi women about their own roles. The presence of military and the appearance of globalization in the country that tried to block western and American cultural influences and traditions have changed not only the roles of women, but the structure of the society, as well.

The authors of the study would like to use relevant research and literature to review the theses quoted above. Studies regarding the role of women, the changes in society, issues of globalization and multicultural influences would be examined to prove the four theses. The role of militarization and globalization would be reviewed by comparing studies concluded before and after the Iraqi war.

Thesis

The way Iraqi women see their roles have changed after the war, due to the globalization and American cultural influence.

Research Questions

The questions that are addressed in the research proposed in this work in writing are those as follows:

• What is the self-held view of Iraqi women or in other words how do Iraqi women view themselves?
• Do Iraqi women feel that they are limited in what they are able to accomplish?
• Has the self-held view of Iraqi women changed since the war and invasion and if so how?

Literature Review

The question of the role of Iraqi women before, during and after the war has been examined by several authors, organizations, and even the US government. Al-Ali (2009) examined the role, life and changes of women’s attitudes towards globalization, values and military, and the first reformists of the country, inspired by similar movements in Egypt. The movement was started by upper-middle class women, among whom many were wives of politicians. They wanted to achieve a consensus regarding women’s roles in the society, and be accepted as “capable individuals”. Although education was compulsory, due to the demand of workforce in the social sector for both males and females up to the age of 16, (Pina, 2005) this movement is today considered as a tactical ruling to weaken the influence of tribes. The participation of women in politics was also limited. Apart from the feminist organizations that grew in the country during the 20^th Century, and although women were allowed to participate in politics in the 70-s, this was followed by a repression, and women who wanted reforms had to escape the country from the regime of Ba’th.

During the Iraq-Iran War (1980-88), women experienced not only grief but a harder life, as well. They had to become the breadwinners, had to provide safety for the family and organize household tasks. It is evident that through the war, women had the chance to prove their abilities, and this resulted in the changing role that has emerged in the period after the war. Many of these women could simply not accept the religious customs any more when they were considered “second best” after things returning to normal. During the militarization of the country, women still replaced the male workforce, but were “encouraged to produce more Iraqi citizens”. (Al-Ali, 2009, pp. 38.) Women were later involved in the Kurdish struggle, and the link became stronger between military, patriarchy and nationalism. All gender equality movements were pushed aside by the government, while women were “used” for the purpose of the state.

During the 1991 Gulf War, the access to education for girls has decreased, (Al-Ali, 2009), and marriage became harder for women, too. Many of the females had to marry older men, or enter a polygamous agreement. At the same time, domestic violence was on the increase, and the government ruled against the prevention of honor killings. The difference between the rights of men and women widened, while female activists were silenced by the leaders of the country.

The real changes and awakening of women started after the Gulf War, and this was partly the result of globalization. The entrance of humanitarian international organizations, the women’s widening knowledge about other cultures has contributed towards the reforms that still are changing the Iraqi society. Praise of the women, who stood by the country, took on men’s jobs, raised children in war conditions came from outside of the country, making those who had doubts more self-conscious. According to Al-Ali (2009), Iraqi women are now the symbol of awakening and confronting the leadership of the country.

There were “underground” Women’s organizations existing in exile during the war, and they were founded by the West. One of them was Women for Free Iraq, and although it was truly a feminist group, its main purpose was to make the Saddam Hussein regime and its strict regulations around women’s roles, society and politics fall. According to the US report (2005), the rights previously secured for Iraqi women by the GFIW organization were cut back by Hussein, and women were again pushed aside to perform more conventional roles. The interest of the UK and the US in the group was based on reports that showed an increasing number of human rights issues within the country; the number of war crimes and state-ordered murders against women and reformists. Women’s empowerment was one of the main purposes of the Bush government’s reconstruction project in Iraq, and Al-Ali (2009) has found plenty of evidence that the programs mainly targeted women. Looking at the role of females in a society with a “western eye” was unusual, and it included the recognition of values that have been hidden in the society for hundreds of years, such as ability to make compromises, negotiation, empathy and organizational skills.

The fact that women finally got trained by the humanitarian organizations, funded by the West to take part in politics did lead to a lengthy but successful democratization process. Women could take part in local community projects, and finally get their voice heard. On the other hand, the international organizations also made sure that women’s basic needs were met, and they could concentrate on their personal and professional development. However, the reconstruction project failed to focus on the prevention of violence against women, and this created some tension between the participants and the organizations.

The positioning of Iraqi women as heroines did indeed empower them to aim for more; however, the lack of relevant infrastructure did slow down the movements. Forcing the role of “peace builders” and “mediators” on Iraqi women might not have been the right approach; however, these roles had an empowering effect. The demilitarization of the society takes a long time, and changing attitudes, values and ethical standards might have to see many generations pass. Still, the influence of global organizations has given women the chance for becoming something else and more, in some of the hardest situations a country can face.

Reviewing the portraits of women drawn by Sr. Kirk and Sr. Madigan (2010) show the real women’s point of view and their concerns. The stories emphasize the importance of education and its empowering effects, how they could finally be free, become friends, learn about different cultures. The humanitarian organizations working in the country were the most successful channels of delivering globalization messages.

Kinwall (2004) confirms that the articulated aim of the US government was to “free women of cover”, and this is why the organizations sent to the country to preserve peace and rebuild the infrastructures focused on them. However, hundreds of years old family metaphors, traditions and assumptions against ethnic or demographic minorities cannot be made to disappear in a few years. Although the voice of women in the country is louder now than it has ever been, there is a lot of work to be done, to help women discover their true identities, which can match the culture they live on, and their newly acquired international and western values.

It is crucial that the authors would examine the motivations of the US Government in the empowerment of women of Iraq, and therefore the US Policy regarding women in Iraq (2005) would be examined. One of the main aims of the Bush administration stated in the report was to encourage women to participate in politics. The programs, focusing on women included education, democratic organization, entrepreneurship and advocacy. The report reveals the situation of women in the country, from the Baathist rule to 2005. The study next focuses on the programs created for women, and these would help the authors of the current study reveal the course of actions, movements, and the changes of roles.

The US Policy regarding women in Iraq (2005) also talks about the society after the Hussein era, under the Coalition Provisional Authority. The study reconfirms the role of Iraqi women in reconstruction and the election of the new government. The 2003 Fact Sheet is quoted, saying “They bring skills and knowledge that will be vital to restoring Iraq to its rightful place in the region and in the world. The U.S. will engage with Iraqi women to secure and advance the gains that they have achieved so far.” (Pina, 2009) The newly elected Iraqi Governing Council’s 3 members were women, out of 25, and this showed a great step towards the democratization of the society. Some critics stated that this was still a critical underrepresentation, and the US officials made adequate policy changes to ensure that women are represented at every level of the government equally.

The changes made in the Iraqi Family Law in 2003, regarding marriage, rights and representation also promoted democracy and global values. During the transition period, beginning in 2004 showed that women were – not equally, but – represented in the newly formed government. The authors of the study are concerned about the “implementation of progressive legislation” regarding women’s rights and representation. (Pina, 2009, pp. 11.) Although the study only goes as far as the formation of the new government and the election of Ibrahim al-Jaafari, who confirmed that he supported the representation of women and democratic values being implemented by the constitution, there were some initial concerns voiced by Narmin Othman, Minister of State for Iraqi Women’s Affairs regarding the lack of guarantees.

Results

It is clear from the above historical and analytical review that the strict rules and the lack of democracy have had some damaging effects on the equality of the Iraqi society. Although some feminist organizations formed during the 20^th Century have been revealed, the main driving force of change in altering women’s roles in the society was their hardship during the wars. When they realized that they were able to provide, care and organize while men were being killed or fighting, there was no “way back” for many of them. Although the democratic features of the Iraqi society cannot be compared to western ones, the influence of globalization, especially the work of the US State and international humanitarian groups has opened the eye of many Iraqi women. By simply “allowing” new feminist ideas to emerge, the society could not have changed the same way it did since 2003, and the policies that involved women in education, politics and humanitarian projects decision making have empowered the entire society.

According to Ahmed, H. (2010), the subsequent rise of violence has forced many women to withdraw from public services, and the progressive ideas on clothing and culture have met a great opposition. However, the thinking of women has changed, according to the reports about the society, and the portraits drawn by Sr. Kirk and Madigan(2010), as well as Al-Ali (2009).The workshops organized in Iraq for women (Esfandiari, 2004) showed a great presence of activists willing to participate in building a new society and fighting for women’s rights. By increasing the skills and abilities of women leaders, already working in the background, the projects have supported the new ideas to be delivered to every segment of the society.

The emergence of well-educated and emancipated female leaders is recorded by Esfandiari, (2004), and the fact that they are willing to participate, despite the violence surrounding the democratization process shows that they are supported by masses.

According to the Women for Women website (online), “94% of women surveyed want to secure legal rights for women 84% of women want the right to vote on the final constitution.

Nearly 80% of women believe that their participation in local and national councils should not be limited.” This shows that while many leaders claim that women do not want to take part in the political decision making process, this is not true.

Conclusion

Although the traditions of the Iraqi society and the democratization process, including women’s rights issues seem to be contradicting, and many women have been killed for wearing western clothing (Women for Women, Online), there is a visible shift in the country’s views on globalization, rights and values. Therefore, the initial thesis of the research has been confirmed, and it is true that women in the post-war Iraq view themselves differently, due to the international influence and their role during the war and restoration.

References

Al-Ali, N. and Pratt, N. (2009) What Kind of Liberation? Women and the Occupation of Iraq.

Al-Azzawi, S. (2008) Deterioration of Iraqi Women’s Rights and Living Conditions Under Occupation

Sister Martha Ann Kirk and Sister Patricia Madigan (2010) Iraqi Women of Three Generations: Challenges, Education, and Hopes for Peace. Online. http://www.uiw.edu/compassionconference/documents/Iraqi%20exhibit-2.pdf

Pina. A. (2005) CRS Report for Congress Women in Iraq: Background and Issues for U.S. Policy

http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/50258.pdf

Freedom House, Women’s Rights in the Middle East and North Africa 2010 – Iraq, 3 March 2010, available at: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4b990123c.html

Women for Women Organization (online) First Post-War Survey of Iraqi Women Shows Women Want Legal Rights; Dispels Notions That Women Believe Tradition, Culture Should Limit Their Participation in Government. http://www.womenforwomen.org/news-women-for- women/assets/files/Post%20War%20Iraq%20Women%20Report%20Press%20Release.pdf

Esfandiari, H., Bennett, J. . Regional Strategies for empowering women. (2005) Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars . Online. http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/empoweringwomen_4.pdf

Ahmed, H. (2010) Women’s Rights in the Middle East and North Africa 2010 – Iraq. Freedom House

Kinwall, C. (2004) Globalization and Religious Nationalism: Self, Identity, and the Search for Ontological Security. Political Psychology, Vol. 25, No. 5, 2004