Women in Iraq have endured many years of repression, as a result of a strong conservative culture, economic sanctions and armed conflicts. Iraqi women today suffer from insufficient educational opportunities and healthcare and limited access to the labor market, as well as high levels of violence and inequality.

The country is currently in a phase of transition. Plans are underway for post-ISIS recovery and reconstruction. May 2018 saw parliamentary elections, and the government is developing its Iraq Vision 2030. In this context of change, UN Women and Oxfam commissioned the development of a country gender profile to analyze the possibilities for advancing gender equality in Iraq. The study was part of the “Safe Access to Resilient Livelihoods for the Conflict-Affected Women in Iraq” program and was funded by the government of Japan.

The profile examines the status of women’s rights in Iraq and describes the needs, challenges and opportunities in relation to the Iraqi national framework and policy; women’s leadership and political participation; women in the economy; violence against women and girls; health services; women’s access to justice; social status; and access to ICT and information.