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)
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