madly in love with Iraq

11.3.06

Have some mercy on us!

Does it really require men to pull Iraq out of this mess?
Whatever they said so far is gibberish; all they wrote was only waffle.

Look how stubborn and single-minded they have been. Is it that hard to compromise? Is it that complicated to reach an understanding? Their false pride and greed for power weighs more than the Iraqi blood on the scale.

Why not women for a change?
If we want to apply democracy, we are more in numbers.
If qualifications are the issue, we have enough qualified women.
If experience is the question, Iraqi women ran the country in the eighties and continued through the nineties.
Up to now, look at them, finding new means and creating new methods to survive.
They have always been the unknown soldiers, struggling daily to protect their families inside their houses and out. They proved to be more resilient, robust and flexible.

Women in general are a threat to men, not only in Iraq but all over
In our part of the world they cover them and restrict their movement, in here they are under-paid, encouraged to be models and single mothers rather than go and acquire some education.
Women are hindered and their efforts are obstructed on daily basis.

They say behind every successful man there is a good woman. It should be re-phrased:
There is no one behind a successful woman!

Iraqi women were brought up to believe that all revolves around the happiness of men and their comfort and progress. Whatever women achieve they have one destiny, getting married and have children, when it comes to men all options are open.

I happen to know a couple both doctors, all I hear is how the man passed all his exams and became a consultant and a brilliant surgeon, for years this was the story. When I meet them, I see a dedicated wife running around to make sure everyone is settled and happy, I could see how her face brightens up every time someone praises the husband the achiever, how tired and drained he is. Once I asked her about her job? She simply answered that she is only a pathologist and works from 9 to 6. And when my inquisitive mind pressed further, she turned out to be a forensic doctor! Working in a morgue and deals daily with corpses and police investigations! And everyone was so worried about her poor husband.
Another very young woman came over from Iraq to meet up with a husband who is in debt up to his head, four years ago. In no time she found a job, settled what they owe, had a mortgage arranged and even had a baby!

The difference between men and women is that women have more common sense and could react under stressful conditions. They are simply more resourceful.
Instead of moaning when things get tough, they move on and do something.
I have many more examples of dreaming men sitting at home planning to become rich and hard-working women silently handling their jobs and children.

The number of single Iraqi mothers in here is quite high; marriages brake off easily if they were built on brittle bases. Ours are the best candidates; usually arranged or based on hasty decisions you name it. When people are out of their normal environment and suddenly alone, things take different turn. The issue is that women proved to be determined and focused. My cousin have three children, her husband chose to marry another woman and left her alone. She was 43 years old when she decided to pursue her career as a doctor! In four years she passed all her exams and single-handedly raised her children.

To get a British driving licence is quite tough, the funny part is Iraqi women pass rate from the first trial is higher than men! The reason is again simple; women abide and listen, men think they are cool and have to show their heroics and their outstanding driving skills, so the result is obvious!
One woman I know said her husband failed and she passed, but she cannot drive, he is so furious and every time they go out, he insists that she goes and take the test again because he doesn’t trust her with the car!

Women support their men and push them forward, men in general don’t.
Many Iraqi men in here refuse to send their wives to Colleges to learn English; they found this threatening! They only encourage them to mix with their own people and give the usual excuses of culture and religion.

Women run all effective Iraqi charities established in here.
There is a charity that started mid nineties and used to support Iraqi refugee camps after the war 1991 outside the Iraqi borders. The founder is a woman, without any fuss around her she used to deliver and still is.
The Iraqi orphan Foundation, solely operated by women has a base in Iraq and clear agendas to help and support. Ordinary, not even highly educated women; but diligent and level headed, collecting donations, keeping their books tidy.
The accuracy of the work is admirable.

When I watch Iraqi TV, I see many so-called political analysts, most of them men full of nonsense, their very few women counterparts give fully comprehensive views which impose respect even if you don’t agree with them.

There is a program on Iraqi TV now about giving free-interest loans for people to start businesses or small projects. What amazes me really is the number of women attendees, and especially the ones with their husbands sitting at home waiting for the loan!
I cannot get it! Why don’t they go themselves?

Women have to do the dirty jobs, and men still have the guts to give orders.
Shame on you.

It is time for Iraqi men politicians to retire and have a long rest.

I am all for women.

8 Comments:

  • I'm all for it too.

    By Blogger dgfdsgdsgds, at 3:52 pm  

  • Again, I can only say Amen...When are we going to shake off these paralyzing cultural chains!

    By Blogger Zaineb Alani, at 7:24 pm  

  • Antar,
    It is just a far fetched dream. The problem is few women believe in it.
    My driving is just fine.Passed from the first time!!

    Zeyad,
    Glad that you agree,Wallah Taggat Rohna

    ZZ,
    At least we are privileged to be abroad Awealy 3la the women inside.

    By Blogger hala_s, at 12:27 pm  

  • [hala] "They say behind every successful man there is a good woman. It should be re-phrased:
    There is no one behind a successful woman!"

    Aw, that's a little unfair. I feel that I support MY woman in what she does to the hilt. Last night we were up together till late getting her lecture ready.

    But yes, I agree with your post.

    I like women who take charge of their own lives and get on with things. I wish there were more of them.

    Nice post.

    By Blogger Bruno, at 1:02 pm  

  • Hala I am all for it too!!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:23 pm  

  • Bruno,
    Many men do support their partners, I am speaking about the majority who don't.So the exception is there.
    I put the blame more on women who belittle themselves and allow men to constraint their liberties.

    Hi Nadia
    Lovely to have you here, I am sure you agree on this,
    Thank you for commenting.

    By Blogger hala_s, at 10:27 am  

  • hala_s, the problem is also with the system in which we live. There are double standards for women and men in a lot of areas. People say: look at Muslim societies and how they repress their women ... but those same people don't look at us in the West who expect women to look a certain way and behave a certain way. It is actually much more insidious over here.

    Simply looking at how expensive cosmetics and women's clothing is gives one an idea as to how much of her salary a typical woman has to spend just in order to 'fit in'.

    It's hard asserting oneself when one is continually broke.

    It is the culture which has to change, along with the women themselves.

    By Blogger Bruno, at 7:08 am  

  • great post

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:13 pm  

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