Responding to Rising Gender Based Violence in Iraq

An assessment conducted by UN OCHA in June 2020 on the impact of COVID-19 on Gender Based Violence (GBV), concluded that incidents of domestic violence had increased by 62% in Iraq. We responded by commissioning a survey in Anbar, Diyala and Ninewa to understand if GBV was prevalent and cases of domestic violence had risen. As a direct result of these findings our Gender and Inclusion Advisor delivered gender-focused strategic communication training to our communications partners in Iraq. The training was designed to upskill the groups and ensure they have the tools to mainstream gender into their communications.

Following the training, one partner developed and published a film to address the issue of GBV and to discourage domestic violence in their provinces. The film which you can see below, entitled “#س ب ع ة_ا ال نب اري ة ”, which means both “Brave Anbari Woman” and “The Seven Main Roles of Anbari Woman”, depicts an Anbari woman in seven different roles, demonstrating the positive impact she has on the Iraqi community; by being a mother, student, teacher, sister, wife, doctor, and a daughter. The video also shows that there are several important roles that Anbari women fulfil and touches on how women played a significant role in liberating Anbar from ISIS.

COVID-19 has exacerbated an already dire situation for many Iraqi women, boys, and girls. The threat of gender-based violence, already present in many homes, has increased significantly as circumstances contribute to increased opportunities for violence. While communications alone cannot and will not remove GBV from society, it can play a part in raising awareness and opening a dialogue on the issue within Iraqi communities.