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Women make up more than a quarter of the 14,431 candidates. (Reuters) |
BAGHDAD — Nibras al-Mamour is one of thousands of women candidates registered for Iraq's upcoming provincial elections, but like many fellow female politicians, she believes there are still many roadblocks on the road.
"Despite dangerous circumstances that we come across everyday, we have to show our potential in politics rather than stay in our homes," Mamour, who is contesting the polls in the capital Baghdad, told IslamOnline.net.
Nearly 2.9 million Iraqis are registered for the polls, representing 13 million voters, as heads of households can register for their family members.
Over 400 political groups and 14,431 candidates will be contesting 440 provincial council seats in 14 of Iraq's 18 provinces on January 31.
Though women make up more than a quarter of the candidates, competing to assume power in local governments faces many social and political hurdles.
"We are seen as incapable of assuming a political seat, being considered a thief of a male place," Suha Hussein, a candidate in the southern province of Muthana, told IOL.
"When we approach a man asking for his vote, he either turns his face or he listens to us with contempt."
Mamour, who constantly visits Baghdad universities showing her vast political knowledge, says many men feel embarrassed to vote for a woman in a country long dominated by men.
Bushra al-Faraji, a candidate in the southern Anbar province, is running not because she wants to, but because her husband asked her to.
"My husband told me to join elections because it is good for our tribe and city," Faraji told IOL.
"I worked all my life at home but he said that it would help me if I win. I would advice you to ask him for any information about my campaign."
According to the election law, each party that wins seats must give every third spot to a woman.
Mixed Views
Abdul-Alim, a shopkeeper in Baghdad, does not believe that women are prepared to assume important political roles.
"I would never accept my wife to run for a seat in politics," he told IOL.
"When women get seats and become known, more wives will look after the same ideals and this would affect any marriage."
Leyla Ahmed, a 32-year-old woman, is also an opponent of women politicians.
"A couple of days ago a female candidate came to ask my vote," recalls the primary school teacher.
"I smiled but of course I won’t vote on her."
Ahmed says that she was turned off because the woman was not wearing hijab and was dressed in modern, rather than traditional, clothes.
"This is a Muslim country and if women want to be in politics, at least they have to reflect Iraqi women image."
But Waleed Ahmed Saydoon finds no problem in voting for a woman candidate.
"My sister came to me asking to vote to her friend and I will."
He believes that women are much needed in politics and can make a difference.
"They are more sensible, closer to Iraqi problems and could take care of Iraqis for having so much experience in taking care of their families," Saydoon insists.
"It does not matter what the gender is because what we are all looking for is a better Iraq. If women can do better, they are welcome."
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