Iraqi women told to ‘take control’

[La_Serpiente]

Iraqi women told to ‘take control’

Terrified that the modicum of rights they once enjoyed under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein could be swept away in a new post-war Iraq, women in this town south of Baghdad were little reassured by a visit from a female US cabinet official.

They said a visit paid by US secretary of labor Elaine Chao to Hilla, a city 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of Baghdad, failed to reassure them that Washington could offer anything more than promises.

<snip>

Asked if she backed the introduction of a quota system to increase their representation, Chao said no.

“You’re trying to build a just Iraq... People should be chosen based on their abilities and not quotas,” she said.

Iraqi women told to ‘take control’

Affirmative Action Works. It has been effective in America for both females and minorities, and if applied in Iraq, it may be effective there as well.

[Shanty Oilish]

1. Let's try it here first

Gender balance in the legislatures :thumbsup:

[La_Serpiente]

2. Interesting

that would be great.

In Pakistan, Musharaff has placed a quota on the number of seats for women in the legislature. 1/3 of the seats are reserved for women.

http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0019836.html

Three women serving on the Governing Council when they comprise 60 percent of Iraq's population is pitiful in my view. There have been stories coming out of Iraq stating that women may lose their rights and would be subject to the will of their husband. Salam Pax, the Baghdad Blogger, has voiced concerns over the creeping fundamentalism that didn't exist there before. I guess I am just worried about what is happening there.

[pippin]

3. Elaine Chao is an idiot

The blather she usually spouts is typical of the nonsense repubs spout off while undermining anything that may support real work or gender equity. I'd like to see her "take control" if she was an Iraqi woman. The picture of her tells a lot: permed hair, business suit and chimp.
:puke: