Iraqi society has witnessed a growth in the role of women, who are joining fields of work that were once limited to men and beginning to wear a more modern form of hijab, distinguished by the way it is worn and by its unique colors. Iraqi women — both Muslims and non-Muslims — were known for decades for wearing traditional black cloaks.

Despite rigorous calls by religious parties and conservative groups, media, social and even economic openness to the world — as well as Iraqi women’s will to live by their own beliefs — have caused women’s activities and projects to flourish. These include beauty salons, women’s massage parlors and gyms, casinos, shops and businesses that are either owned by women or employ them. The steady increase in the number of female university students is one of biggest the signs of the growing role of women in Iraqi society.

Sabrine Hassan, a social researcher from Baghdad, tells Al-Monitor that “When walking around university campuses, you will notice female students wearing the latest fashion trends and keen to look chic. However, most of them are wearing a modern form of hijab.”

In the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Baghdad, Reem Saleh tells Al-Monitor that “20 female students are studying electrical engineering and will graduate from the engineering faculty. This is a good percentage compared to the total number of students, which is 40.”