Violence against Kurdish women continues in Iraq
Violence against Kurdish women continues in Iraq
The number of women in Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq who are losing their lives due to violence they are subjected to is increasing. While some are being killed because they disobey their father, brother or husband some other are setting fire on their body because of an arranged marriage which they are forced to.
Media in KRG region does not cover the news about violence and murder against women or women suicides. Women organisations are not effective as they are political party oriented and subjected to limitation by the ruling parties. Only a few of perpetrators are appearing before justice.
In the first six months of 2010 in South Kurdistan, 48 women were killed, 207 women set fire on their bodies, 671 women were subjected to serious domestic violence and 63 women were sexually abused, indicates KRG ministry of interior report on violence against women. As these are the official figures, the real numbers are estimated much higher. It is also worrying that majority of women who are claimed to have set fire on themselves are victims of murder.
The report also shows that while the number of women committing suicide by setting fire on themselves has decreased the complaints lodged by women about the violence they face has increased.
According to the report violence against and murders against women take place in the capital of KRG, Hewler (Arbil) at most. Within this period in Hewler 25 women were killed, 99 set fire on themselves, 145 faced domestic violence and 14 women were abused. 555 women have also applied security forces on account of facing domestic violence.
The situation in Suleymaniye is not much different. While 18 women were murdered in Suleymaniye, 71 women committed suicide with fire. 42 women faced abuses and 526 women applied security forces for help.
In Duhok, 2 women were killed, 53 women set fire on themselves. 7 women were abused and 260 women complaint about domestic violence with the police.
The ministry stated that the report will be published every six month on regular basis.
Media in KRG region does not cover the news about violence and murder against women or women suicides. Women organisations are not effective as they are political party oriented and subjected to limitation by the ruling parties. Only a few of perpetrators are appearing before justice.
In the first six months of 2010 in South Kurdistan, 48 women were killed, 207 women set fire on their bodies, 671 women were subjected to serious domestic violence and 63 women were sexually abused, indicates KRG ministry of interior report on violence against women. As these are the official figures, the real numbers are estimated much higher. It is also worrying that majority of women who are claimed to have set fire on themselves are victims of murder.
The report also shows that while the number of women committing suicide by setting fire on themselves has decreased the complaints lodged by women about the violence they face has increased.
According to the report violence against and murders against women take place in the capital of KRG, Hewler (Arbil) at most. Within this period in Hewler 25 women were killed, 99 set fire on themselves, 145 faced domestic violence and 14 women were abused. 555 women have also applied security forces on account of facing domestic violence.
The situation in Suleymaniye is not much different. While 18 women were murdered in Suleymaniye, 71 women committed suicide with fire. 42 women faced abuses and 526 women applied security forces for help.
In Duhok, 2 women were killed, 53 women set fire on themselves. 7 women were abused and 260 women complaint about domestic violence with the police.
The ministry stated that the report will be published every six month on regular basis.
