Raja Hamid Rashid

Iraq — Only a few days separate Iraq from the upcoming elections, scheduled for Tuesday, November 11. As the country prepares for this event, the atmosphere is a mix of hope and skepticism. Citizens remain split between those who see participation as a national duty and opportunity for reform, and those who have lost faith in political promises that never materialize.

Amid this scene, the voices of Iraqi women stand out — some expressing support for women candidates as a true force for change, while others believe that past experiences have shown women are still denied meaningful roles in politics.

“I Will Vote for a Woman Only”

Asil Abdul-Hussein, a housewife, said:
“At first, I decided not to participate in the upcoming elections, but then I changed my mind. I realized I must vote — I don’t want my voice to go to waste. My goal is to change the traditional pattern of participation. In previous elections, we always voted for men, but this time, with so many qualified female candidates, I’ve decided to vote for a woman.”

She added, “It’s been twenty-two years of the same faces and the same men. I truly hope this parliamentary term will be different — that maybe, this time, a woman will win. Women today play a significant role in society; they don’t just represent half of it, they are society. Women are naturally careful, disciplined, and detail-oriented. As citizens, our main wish is to see better services, and because women care about beauty and order in every aspect of life, I believe they’ll work to rebuild what’s broken and improve services.”

Asil expressed optimism about this election, saying it features capable and active women candidates who bring a renewed spirit of change after years of devastation. With confidence, she concluded, “I will vote for a woman only — because a woman represents an entire society.” She urged others: “Go vote and choose who you believe is best. Voting is a national right — don’t waste it.”

False Promises and Poor Services

On the other hand, Noha Abdullah, a private-sector employee, said she will not participate in the elections, explaining that “candidates make false promises, services remain poor, and there are no job opportunities for graduates — men or women.”

She added that women have never held top positions in previous parliaments — such as prime minister — nor played a major role in drafting laws addressing divorce rates or personal status issues.

Similarly, Waqaar Intisar, a marketing manager, also announced her total rejection of the upcoming elections, saying she is against the entire electoral process because “most candidates have done nothing for the country.”

She explained that politicians only reach out to citizens during campaign periods, making promises of improved services that never come true. “After elections, all those promises vanish,” she said. “We never see real change on the ground.”

Regarding women’s participation, she noted that while some qualified and active women have made valuable contributions in their fields, they are rarely given genuine opportunities to hold leadership positions in major institutions or ministries. “Women remain marginalized,” she said. “Important roles are reserved for men only.”

Finally, Alia Abdul-Wahab said she will participate, viewing it as a national duty:
“I will cast my vote so I don’t allow room for marginalization or fraud. I want to prove that, as an Iraqi woman, I take part in shaping my country’s future.