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The plight of women in Iraq: Gender disparity, violence, and mental health

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  • Maha Sulaiman Younis
  • Riyadh Khudhiar Lafta

Abstract

Background: Generations of women living in Iraq endured three major regional wars and internal conflicts, which weakened their psychological vulnerability and social role by poverty, displacements, and loss of their beloved ones. The available literature about women’s mental health is scarce and does not signify the gender inequality and gender disparity of mental disorders. Method: During 1st August to October 2020, we explored the search engines: Google Scholar, Pub-Med, Medline, and Clarivate using keywords of Iraq, gender inequality, women’s mental health, violence, and conflict, mental disorders, gender-based violence, etc. From 1792 research items, 64 articles were scrutinized for this study. We selected the most relevant studies with some available documents excluding data bout Immigrant women outside Iraq and reports from foreign military sources. Finding: Women living in Iraq have struggled for equality and empowerment since the 20th century. For the last four decades, successive wars, economic sanction, gender-based violence, and internal conflicts have affected their development endeavors. The 2003 US-led invasion caused a loss of lives, destruction of infrastructure, and forced displacement for tens of thousands of civilians, including women and children. These atrocities increased women’s vulnerability to develop or worsen the existing mental disorders. This review tries to attract world attention to women’s situations in Iraq.

Suggested Citation

  • Maha Sulaiman Younis & Riyadh Khudhiar Lafta, 2021. "The plight of women in Iraq: Gender disparity, violence, and mental health," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 67(8), pages 977-983, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:67:y:2021:i:8:p:977-983
    DOI: 10.1177/00207640211003602
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrea Miranda-Mendizabal & Pere Castellví & Oleguer Parés-Badell & Itxaso Alayo & José Almenara & Iciar Alonso & Maria Jesús Blasco & Annabel Cebrià & Andrea Gabilondo & Margalida Gili & Carolina Lag, 2019. "Gender differences in suicidal behavior in adolescents and young adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 64(2), pages 265-283, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Najat Qushua & Alli Gillespie & Dechol Ramazan & Sunita Joergensen & Dorcas Erskine & Catherine Poulton & Lindsay Stark & Ilana Seff, 2023. "Danger Zone or Newfound Freedoms: Exploring Women and Girls’ Experiences in the Virtual Space during COVID-19 in Iraq," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-16, February.

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