Category: Press release

Women will not remain hostage under laws, practices and traditions of misogynist patriarchy: Wherever there is patriarchal oppression, there will be feminist resistance

In this age when feminist movements started to take big steps towards attaining their rights of equality, freedom and dignity, it is different in Iraq, where women find themselves in a dark abyss and have no right to decide their own lives because of the laws of successive governments under occupation. Islamic opposition groups and …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.owfi.info/uncategorized/women-will-not-remain-hostage-under-laws-practices-and-traditions-of-misogynist-patriarchy-wherever-there-is-patriarchal-oppression-there-will-be-feminist-resistance/

Condemnation of the Killing of Six Young Iraqi Women in the Governmental Rehabilitation Shelter for Teenagers in Al-Athamiya

A women’s rehabilitation shelter in Al-Athamiya, Baghdad, suffered a fire that killed six young women and burned and injured other residentson the evening of January 3rd. It was found later that seven young women had filed a complaint against the administration, which was not considered adequately. Official sources announced that the seven young women burned …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.owfi.info/uncategorized/condemnation-of-the-killing-of-six-young-iraqi-women-in-the-governmental-rehabilitation-shelter-for-teenagers-in-al-athamiya/

A Decade of Occupation for Iraqi Women.

A decade after the US invasion of Iraq, only one of the straw-man arguments for going to war remains standing: “We did it for democracy and women’s rights.” And yet we hear the same thing again and again from women in the shelters we operate throughout Iraq: “Why are we living in these violent times?”

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.owfi.info/article/72/

Is International Women’s Day Still Worth Celebrating?

Women’s rights have come a long way since the first International Women’s Day in 1900. Talks of gender equality have come to dominate the agenda of politicians of all credos leaving many wondering if there is still a need for a feminist struggle – especially within Western democratic societies.

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.owfi.info/article/is-international-womens-day-still-worth-celebrating/

Day 16/16 of Activism Against Gender Violence: Women Rights and War

“Growing up in such high level of political violence, state oppression, and degradation had left its impact on me of course… from a very early age I became very rebellious against imposed norms and restrictions.”

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.owfi.info/article/day-1616-of-activism-against-gender-violence-women-rights-and-war/

Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq – OWFI: Stop mass executions in Iraq.

We at the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq are very concerned and dismayed by the wave of executions which are taking place in the so called “new Iraq”.  We have learnt through new reports published by Human Rights Watch, that since the beginning of 2012, Iraq has executed at least 65 prisoners, 51 of …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.owfi.info/article/organization-of-womens-freedom-in-iraq-owfi-stop-mass-executions-in-iraq/

Freedom, corruption and terror

Houzan Mahmoud born in Kurdistan-Iraq in 1973; she is a socialist campaigner, activist for women’s rights in Kurdistan, Iraq and Middle East. When you meet an extraordinary person, it can be in the most mundane of places. Our interview with Houzan Mahmoud, of the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI) and Socialist- Feminist activist, …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.owfi.info/article/freedom-corruption-and-terror/

Fighting for Gender Equality in Iraq

Yanar Mohammed says the U.S. invasion and occupation hurt women’s rights. As President Obama hailed the “extraordinary achievement” of U.S. troops withdrawing from Iraq in December, continuing protests against government repression and abysmal basic services undermined the narrative of a successful democratic transition.

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.owfi.info/article/fighting-for-gender-equality-in-iraq/

This government of ethnic and sectarian divisions does not represent Iraqis in any way.

Yanar Mohammed, one of Iraq’s most prominent feminists, speaks to Ceasefire deputy editor Musab Younis about the Arab Spring, the withdrawal of US troops and the prospects for democracy and equality in her country.

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.owfi.info/article/this-government-of-ethnic-and-sectarian-divisions-does-not-represent-iraqis-in-any-way/

Iraqi Women’s Activist Rebuffs U.S. Claims of a Freer Iraq: “This Is Not a Democratic Country”

Yanar Mohammed, president of the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq, joins us to discuss the impact of the nearly nine-year U.S. occupation, particularly on Iraqi women. “The Iraqi cities are now much more destroyed than they were, I would say, like five years ago,” Mohammed says. “In the same time, we have turned to …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.owfi.info/article/iraqi-womens-activist-rebuffs-u-s-claims-of-a-freer-iraq-this-is-not-a-democratic-country/

Message of Solidarity to Occupy Wall Street from the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq

Dear Occupy Wall Street, The people of the world are watching you, following your news and hoping that – rather than just vent your anger and frustration – you achieve all of your dreams. While democracy should guarantee all people an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives, you find yourselves forced to …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.owfi.info/article/message-of-solidarity-to-occupy-wall-street-from-the-organization-of-womens-freedom-in-iraq/

The Iraqi government detains and tortures peaceful demonstrators from Tahrir Square

In today’s demonstration of Tahrir square, the youth marched towards the bridge in order to cross to the Green Zone, and chanted the slogan of ‘Ousting the System’. The security forces – under the “General Commander of Armed Forces” Mr. Nouri Al Miliki gave orders to detain and torture all the organizers of the demonstration. …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.owfi.info/article/the-iraqi-government-detains-and-tortures-peaceful-demonstrators-from-tahrir-square/

Houzan Mahmoud, abroad representative of OWFI, tells us about her role in the struggle for equality in Iraq and Kurdistan

“There has been so much injustice and oppression in Iraq, for such a long time. To fight it is almost an obligation.”   Houzan Mahmoud: was born in Iraqi Kurdistan in 1973. As a Kurd living under the regime of Saddam Hussein, she grew up with an intimate understanding of discrimination, injustice, lack of rights, and …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.owfi.info/article/houzan-mahmoud-abroad-representative-of-owfi-tells-us-about-her-role-in-the-struggle-for-equality-in-iraq-and-kurdistan/

War forces Iraqi mom into prostitution

Baghdad, Iraq (CNN) — Wedad can’t bear to live this way much longer. Disgusted by the work, she can hardly stand it. Wedad is a prostitute in Iraq. Sectarian violence claimed the life of her husband three years ago. Unable to rely on her family, Wedad tried getting a job to support her three young …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.owfi.info/article/war-forces-iraqi-mom-into-prostitution/