Women Banned from Participating in Basra Marathon in Iraq

Organizers of a marathon in Basra province, southern Iraq, announced the cancellation of women's participation in the race following controversy sparked by opponents of women's presence in the event and advocates for equality. This event, scheduled for Friday, has faced significant criticism, particularly on social media, where there have been calls to cancel it for being mixed-gender. Organizers announced on social media on Wednesday that "based on the directives of Mr. Mohammed Taher Al-Tamimi, the acting governor of Basra, and for everyone's safety, the Basra Marathon will be for males only." One user commented on Instagram regarding this post, saying, "Whoever has a shred of conscience should boycott the marathon and not attend... How can one accept that women are banned from participation just because they are women?" She considered that "women are deprived of their basic right to exist and participate."