Death threats and isolation - the cost of fighting sexual violence in Iraq
BBC News Arabic reports on the challenges faced by Iraqi women who speak out against sexual harassment and abuse.
The Role of Documentation
"Your camera is your weapon," says Sarah Jassim, an Iraqi women's rights activist, explaining the power of video documentation in a bustling Baghdad street. She shares videos of women confronting sexual harassers, aiming to provide evidence and shame the perpetrators. One such video led to the arrest of a policeman accused of harassing schoolgirls.
Risks and Threats
Jassim faces significant risks for posting these videos, receiving death threats and acid attack warnings. She argues for stricter laws, including explicit criminalisation of harassment and gender-based violence, currently absent from Iraq's penal code.
"Recognising the problem is the best way to address it," she states, emphasizing the need for protection and deterrence.
A Long Road to Justice
Many Iraqi women express feelings of failure within the justice system. Legal action against harassers and rapists is a lengthy process with uncertain outcomes.
A UN committee report in May highlights the prevalence and under-reporting of violence against Iraqi women and girls, urging stronger legislation to address discriminatory laws, such as those excusing honour killings.
A Personal Battle
Amal, not her real name, has been fighting in court for five years against her ex-husband, accused of raping their daughter at gunpoint. She recounts her daughter's harrowing account, where the father threatened: "No-one will hear you if I kill you."