Harassment and Discrimination Against Female Parliamentarians in Iraq

Former Iraqi MP Rizan Sheikh Diler revealed that female parliamentarians in Iraq have been subjected to harassment by male MPs, noting that instances of harassment are increasing in various institutions across Iraq due to the lack of punitive measures. Sheikh Diler stated on the program "Tafa'ulakum," aired by Al Arabiya, that "harassment against women is a widespread phenomenon in Iraq and in all government institutions, and in parliament, several cases have been recorded, including verbal harassment and inappropriate jokes made in front of female MPs." In previous statements, she pointed out that "political forces view women as weak beings who cannot fulfill their roles in society as in other countries."