Iraqi children in school.
In the dynamic and diverse Middle East, countless individuals face formidable obstacles in accessing essential rights and services. Across Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan, communities grapple with challenges that hinder progress and perpetuate inequality. From limited healthcare access and restrictions on women's freedom to pervasive gender-based violence and educational barriers, the region confronts multifaceted issues that demand urgent attention and concerted efforts to enact meaningful change.
In Iraq, health care access is hindered by a lack of government investment, with a mere 2% of the country’s budget allocated to the health ministry in 2018. This underfunding exacerbates existing issues, especially for marginalized groups such as women, who often cannot afford healthcare out of pocket due to high unemployment rates. Moreover, women in Iraq face additional barriers to accessing essential health services, including limited access to female-centered health, counseling, and crisis centers. The situation is dire, with many doctors struggling to obtain necessary supplies and technology due to restrictive laws mandating government provision of medical supplies.
In neighboring Syria, social freedom is severely restricted, particularly for women. Gender-based violence is pervasive, and child marriage rates are on the rise, further exacerbating the vulnerability of women and girls. Widowed women are often forced to live in displacement camps, where they face increased risks of exploitation and abuse. Moreover, strict societal norms dictate that women cannot leave their homes without permission from their husbands, further curtailing their freedom and autonomy.
A group of Pakistani children reading outside.
In Pakistan, education is marked by significant challenges, with a staggering 75% of 10-year-olds unable to read a simple text. The COVID-19 pandemic and recent floods have only exacerbated the situation, further hindering access to education for millions of children, especially girls. Despite efforts to improve enrollment rates, millions of girls remain out of school, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
Amidst these challenges, countries in the region are beginning to adopt solutions to address systemic issues and promote gender equality and human rights. In 2018, Saudi Arabia made significant strides by allowing women to drive, abolishing gender segregation, and relaxing strict dress regulations. Most Middle Eastern governments now allow women to have passports and travel abroad without guardian permission, signaling a shift towards greater autonomy and freedom for women.
However, despite these advancements, many women in the Middle East still lack basic human rights. To address these challenges and support women's empowerment in the region, organizations like Women for Women International and the Malala Fund are working tirelessly to provide essential services and advocate for policy change. Women for Women International offers vocational skills training and business grants to women in Syria and the Malala Fund invests in education advocates challenging barriers to girls' education in Pakistan and beyond.
As we look towards the future, it is essential to continue supporting initiatives that promote gender equality, human rights, and access to essential services in the Middle East. By working together and advocating for change, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
Below are the links to donate to Women for Women International and the Malala Fund.
Works Cited:
Barón, Juan D. “Facing the Challenges of Girls' Education in Pakistan.” World Bank Blogs, 5 March 2023, https://blogs.worldbank.org/education/facing-challenges-girls-education-pakistan. Accessed 2 March 2024.
“Country Fact Sheet.” Country Fact Sheet | UN Women Data Hub, https://data.unwomen.org/country/syrian-arab-republic. Accessed 2 March 2024.
“Gendered impact of the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic on women and girls.” ohchr, 12 June 2023, https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2023/06/gendered-impact-conflict-syrian-arab-republic-women-and-girls. Accessed 2 March 2024.
“Gender equality.” UNICEF, https://www.unicef.org/mena/gender-equality. Accessed 2 March 2024.
“Middle East and North Africa: End Curbs on Women's Mobility.” Human Rights Watch, 18 July 2023, https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/07/18/middle-east-and-north-africa-end-curbs-womens-mobility. Accessed 2 March 2024.
“Syria: Years of grinding conflict exact an unimaginable toll, especially on women and girls.” United Nations Population Fund, 22 December 2023, https://www.unfpa.org/syria-situation-women-and-girls%E2%80%99-worse-ever-crisis-grinds. Accessed 2 March 2024.
“Women’s Access to Healthcare in Iraq.” The Borgen Project, 28 August 2020, https://borgenproject.org/healthcare-in-iraq/. Accessed 2 March 2024.
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