BAGHDAD — The war and the consequent void of security in Iraq have left a lasting impact on Iraqi society. A recent survey conducted by the Ministry of Planning and Development about women and children, specifically widows and orphans, reflected this reality.

According to the survey, “The number of orphans aged 17 at most and registered at the Ministry of Planning and Development reached 600,000, while the number of widows reached 850,000.”

Despite the large number of widows and orphans, the survey did not include Ninevah and Anbar provinces, which witnessed a violent war when the Iraqi security forces attempted to regain control after the Islamic State (IS) took over large parts of the provinces in the past two years. Abed al-Zahra al-Hindawi, the spokesman for the Ministry of Planning and Development, told Al-Monitor, “The number of widows and orphans is expected to increase if another survey is conducted to include these two provinces.”

In any case, the survey, which was conducted by the Central Statistical Organization that is affiliated with the Ministry of Planning and Development in coordination with the World Bank, did not reveal the reasons why families lost parents or husbands. It also did not reveal other details that are considered sensitive in the conservative Iraqi culture. For example, the survey overlooks the number of widowed women who remarried after the death of their first husbands and the adoption of orphans by Iraqi foster families.