Basrawi Women Set Global Example For Better Future: Iraqi, US women organizations promote entrepreneurship

Courtesy Photo | Service members and Defense Department civilians take part in the Basrawi Women's Bazaar-Expo held at the Oasis Bazaar business center in Contingency Operating Base Basra, March 18. The event was initiated by the Provincial Reconstruction Team-Basrah women's initiative. (Photo by: Sgt. Raymond T. Quintanilla)  

BASRA, IRAQ

03.18.2011

Courtesy Story

36th Infantry Division (TXARNG)

Story by: Sgt. Raymond T. Quintanilla

BASRAH, Iraq – A Basrawi Women’s Bazaar-Expo, coordinated by the Women’s Initiative from the Provincial Reconstruction Team-Basrah and supported by the United States Division-South women’s initiative, was held at the Oasis Bazaar business center on Contingency Operating Base Basra.

Service members, Defense Department civilian personnel, local dignitaries from the Iraqi parliament, legislative heads and other committee leaders attended the festive event.

According to Farida Samano, the U.S. Division-South Women’s Initiative advisor, the bazaar was the first of its kind held in Basrah and was an opportunity for local women to flex their free enterprising skills.

“This would encourage the women and give them better ideas how to improve their business,” said the Phoenix resident. “Just by [people] buying their merchandise, they can learn better pricing and what sells more.”

Shereen L. Daniel, the women’s iitiative coordinator for the PRTB said that although the bazaar was an opportunity to display locally made products and a source of income, it was also another chance to work as a community.

“Most importantly, we wanted to encourage the women in Iraq to unite and work closely with each other,” the Chicago resident said. “When women work together and support each other, all of society benefits,”

For Capt. Lisa Ann Lerma, the U.S. Div.-South Equal Opportunity, and sexual assault response and prevention program manager, the event was an indication of the Iraqi women’s progress for equality.

“As Americans, we take our freedoms for granted,” said Lerma, from Copperas Cove, Texas. “Having never had to experience a struggle for these freedoms, I can only stand in awe, and respect the strength and courage these ladies showed today by coming and sharing a part of their culture with us.”

Samano said women in Iraq had a larger role in the past as physicians, engineers, and teachers, and were considered the foundation of Iraqi society before the Iraq-Iran war.

“Especially here in the south, women were slowly deprived of their rights after the Iraq-Iran war,” said Samano. “[They were forced to] cover up and wear hijab, mostly by force not by choice. A majority of Iraqi women wear hijab today. This was pretty much influenced by Iranian [culture], and influencing a lot of Iraqi religious figures and extremists. But lately, the younger generation women are putting a stop to that and they’re saying hijab has to be by choice not by force.”

Hijab is a traditional Middle Eastern garment covering the entire body exposing only the eyes.

Samano hopes the event will pave a path for other women and organizations to follow so the women in Iraq can regain their voice in Iraq.

“We empower women,” said Samano of the WI’s mission. “We encourage Iraqi women and support them through education and training. If we can do this for the businesswomen, then we can do many other missions similar to this.”

Samano continued, “That way they can stand up for themselves, have a stronger self-esteem and speak up and have a better future.”

• Date Taken: 03.18.2011
• Date Posted: 04.02.2011 09:47
• Story ID: 68150
• Location: BASRA, IQ