Sexual harassment common even for Iraqi women professionals

As Iraqi women expand their presence in the workplace, they are increasingly subjected to sexual harassment, including at public institutions.
Members of the new Iraqi parliament attend a session at the parliament headquarters in Baghdad July 1, 2014. Newly elected Iraqi lawmakers convene on Tuesday, under pressure to name a unity government to keep the country from splitting apart after an onslaught by Sunni Islamists who have declared a "caliphate" to rule over all the world's Muslims. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3WMTV
Female members of the new Iraqi parliament attend a session at the parliament headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, July 1, 2014. - REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
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Adnan Abu Zeed
@adnanabuzeed
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BAGHDAD — Iraqi women are dealing with worsening harassment in the workplace and sexual abuse in general, according to statements made by Iraqi members of parliament and media reports. 

On Jan. 15, 2017, parliament member Aaliyah Nasif revealed that she has been receiving complaints of sexual harassment of female employees in a number of ministries, while on Jan. 17, Education Minister Mohammad Iqbal dismissed the director-general of the ministry for soliciting sexual favors in exchange for a promotion.

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