BobKKKindle$
28th May 2008, 08:55
Recently I have been reading a book by Haifa Zangana entitled 'City Of Widows: An Iraqi Woman's Account Of War And Resistance' in which she discusses the history of the Iraqi feminist movement and evaluates the impact of the occupation on womens rights. The author was part of the insurgency against the Ba'ath regime (led by the faction of the Communist Party which chose not to participate in the government) and was subject to imprisonment as a political dissident. Despite this, however, she still maintains an objective position and notes the progressive aspects of the Ba'ath government.
For example, in 1974 education was made free at all levels, and further legislation in 1979 made education compulsory for all girls and boys up to the age of twelve. Women were given the right to vote in 1967 (a right which was not granted under the previous republican government) and this was extended to the right to be nominated as electoral candidates in 1980. In the sphere of reproductive rights, under the provisions of Labour Law 151 (1970) working hours were reduced during pregnancy and women gained the right to feed infants in the workplace.
All of these reforms must be set within a regional context - in other states women have generally not been given any of these rights and are still subject to religious oppression. Given these reforms (and others which are discussed in the book) how should we approach the Ba'ath government in Iraq, and Ba'athism as a political ideology?
What I have read so far has given me a very positive impression. There is an interview available with the author here: Solidarity, Struggle, and Resistance (http://www.socialistreview.org.uk/article.php?articlenumber=10229)
For example, in 1974 education was made free at all levels, and further legislation in 1979 made education compulsory for all girls and boys up to the age of twelve. Women were given the right to vote in 1967 (a right which was not granted under the previous republican government) and this was extended to the right to be nominated as electoral candidates in 1980. In the sphere of reproductive rights, under the provisions of Labour Law 151 (1970) working hours were reduced during pregnancy and women gained the right to feed infants in the workplace.
All of these reforms must be set within a regional context - in other states women have generally not been given any of these rights and are still subject to religious oppression. Given these reforms (and others which are discussed in the book) how should we approach the Ba'ath government in Iraq, and Ba'athism as a political ideology?
What I have read so far has given me a very positive impression. There is an interview available with the author here: Solidarity, Struggle, and Resistance (http://www.socialistreview.org.uk/article.php?articlenumber=10229)