BAGHDAD: Iraqi women say they are now worse off than they were during the rule of dictator Saddam Hussein and that their plight has deteriorated year by year since the US-led invasion in March 2003.

Now they are demanding not just equal rights but the very “right to live,” says Shameran Marugi, head of the non-governmental organisation Iraqi Women’s Committee.

“The ‘right to live’ is a slogan that we have begun using because a women’s life in Iraq is being threatened on all sides. Laws are not being implemented equally and society is ignoring women,” Maguri said.

“Before the 2003 invasion it was possible for a woman to lead a normal life as long as she followed state policy,” she said.

“It was even possible for a woman to engage in political and economic activities through the official Union of Iraqi Women.

“When the regime change occurred in 2003, women, men, and children went out on to the streets to celebrate. We were very happy,” she said.

“Unfortunately there was no qualified leadership to handle the situation and society was not equipped to deal with the changes.” The Union of Iraqi Women was dismantled after the invasion as it was affiliated to the former Baath Party of Saddam.

In the past few years, Marugi said, violence against women has increased significantly.

“At home a woman faces violence from her father, husband, brother and even from her son. It has become a kind of a new culture in the society,” said the women’s rights campaigner.—AFP