3 Sources

"Iraq's Excluded Women" is about how Iraq's government will show no improvement unless women are aloud to show some time of leadership within their political affairs. Women's gains in education and political affairs began to decrease during the 1990's when an economic depression occurred. When America invaded Iraq in 2003, women were offered job-skill training courses and classes about women's rights, but none of this is sure to stable and effective until women make their way back into the government. One of the biggest concerns is that if women do not push for their rights right now, that they will never get them back in the future. Timing is everything for women in political affairs and they need to get back into them quick in order to make gains.

"Now, of all times, Iraqi women fear losses" is a newspaper source that explains how women are feeling about the rights they have gained under Saddam Hussein's regime. Women are feeling very nervous that they might end up losing the rights they gained. Because of the ongoing war and the lack of security, women do not go to work anymore, and practically they're whole way of living has changed. Iraqi women are scared to go out of their house uncovered because of all the abductions and rape that is occurring.  Women need to fight for their own rights says a source, but much of their fighting needs a lot of help and aid.

"Iraq's Hidden War" follows the murders of women activists in Baghdad. Many of the women are wearing highly priced things such as expensive watches and pants instead of dresses. This is leading them to get abducted and robbed. Some women are even getting killed, brutally killed. Even though prewar Iraq consisted of a dictatorship, the government held great promise when it came to women's right's and their role in government. Women held many professional jobs which consisted of a lot of high ranking positions. Due to all of the abductions and kidnappings, universities and work places have seend a huge decline in women's attendance, primarily because they are afraid to leave the house. Iraqi women fear everything from harassment to rape.

Research Paper Thesis Statements

Since the war in Iraq began, women's roles have changed tremendously.

After reading Burning Baghdad, American troops are beginning to have a negative effect in Iraq.

The American government should let Iraq choose its own leader.

A Continuing Theme In Burning Baghdad

One of the continuing themes throughout Burning Baghdad is what kind of role women play throughout society and the kinds of things they are experiencing now that Iraq is going through this turmoil. Women have suffered many changes ever since America invaded Iraq.  They are continuing to lose their jobs and fear every moment they leave the house, if they leave their house, that they are going to be abducted. Here are a few quotes to illustrate the things Iraqi women are experiencing during their every day lives.

"I am female and Muslim. Before the occupation, I more or less dress the way I wanted to. I lived in jeans and cotton pants and comfortable shirts. Now, I don't dare leave the house in pants. A long skirt and loose shirt (preferably with long sleeves) has become necessary. A girl wearing jeans risks being attacked, abducted, or insulted by fundamentalists who have been...liberated!" (Page 17)

"More and more females are being made to quit work or school or college. I spent last month trying to talk to a neighbors mother into letting her 19-year-old daughter take her retests in a leading pharmaceutical college. Her mother was adamant and demanded to know what she was supposed to do with her daughter's college degree if anything happened to her daughter, 'Hang it on her tombstone with the consolation that my daughter died for a pharmaceutical degree??? She can sit this year out." (Page 68)

"There was an attempt yesterday on Akila Al-Hashimi's life. We heard about [it] yesterday morning and have been listening for news ever since. She lives in Jihad Quarter and was leaving for work yesterday when two pick-up trucks with armed men cut off her car and opened fire on her and her "bodyguards" - her brothers." (Page 75)

"Fathers and mothers are keeping their daughters stashed safe at home. That's why you see so few females in the streets (especially after 4pm). Others are making their daughters, wives, and sisters wear a hijab. Not to oppress them, butt to protect them." (Page 17)

"A woman, or girl, out alone, risks anything from insults to abduction. An outing has to be arranged at least an hour beforehand. I state that I need to buy something or have to visit someone. Two males have to be procured (preferably large) and "safety arrangements" must be made in this total state of lawlessness." (Page 16)

"Before the war, around 50% of the college students were females, and over 50% of the working force was composed of women. Not so anymore. We are seeing an increase of fundamentalism in Iraq which is terrifying." (Page 17)

"They showed a girl who was around 15 talking about how she was abducted...The interview with the girl ended when the reporter asked her if she was still scared...the girl looked incredulous at the question and said, 'Of course I'm still scared.' The reporter then asked if she was going to go to school that year...the girl shook her head "no" as her eyes welled up with tears and the screen faded back to the show." (Page 68-69)