Do Iraqi women have more political power than American women?

[_Jumper_]

Iraq's interim constitution guarantees that women will occupy at least 25% of seats in its legislature. The quota will probably be higher in the final constitution. Nonetheless, the 25% number is far greater than the representatation American women have in Congress. The number is a scant 14% in the Senate.

[Bill McBlueState]

1. noticed that yesterday

I can't imagine there ever being such an amendement to the US Constitution. I wonder how that got written into the Iraqi one.

[_Jumper_]

2. I think several Muslim nations have such a quota

They acknowledge they have a problem with sexism and make a quota to insure that women have a seat at the table. In contrast, in America we duck our head into the sand regarding sexism and women.

[Columbia]

3. Political affirmative action?

Yea or nay?

[_Jumper_]

4. Yea

Straight white males should not be the only ones making national policy.

[catzies]

12. You forgot old and rich.

n/t

[adriennel]

5. but...but...Bush doesn't like quotas!

he told me so during the affirmative action Supreme Court case!!

you're right, we don't have even close to 25% female representation in US Government. Of course, I don't believe quotas always translate into power. I don't know why this would be a requirement in Iraq when our own country is so apathetic about women in government (present company excluded : )

[eissa]

6. I wish I could say yes

but, alas, this is just for show. I doubt these women will have much affect once the Taliban-like, Shiite-dominated government takes over. BTW, thanks bush!!

[_Jumper_]

7. The probably won't happen

Iraq is generally a moderate nation. The Kurds are very secular.

[eissa]

8. While it's true that Iraq

has a history of secular rule, the fact is that the suppression of certain religious expression, as well as US policy in the ME and Iraq particularly, has led to an increase in fanaticism. This is why we see women increasingly having to wear hijab, or the assassination of local Christian leaders/businessmen (those that sell alcohol). While I think the US is pushing the governing council to toe the line concerning the role of women, I'm not sure if personal attitudes have changed much.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

9. Then I guess you haven't

been reading the articles about the Iraqi women protesting in a panic because a good number of the new council want the new Iraqi domestic laws under Sharia rules.

Don't be fooled by the whole 25% of the leaders thing.

[Columbia]

10. I guess you haven't read either

That the Sharia portion of the interim constitution was thrown out.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

11. That still doesn't protect them....

from future attempts to put them under partial Sharia that the new Constitution wouldn't protect them from.