Shafaq News/Women's representation in Iraq's labor market has fallen to just 14%, lowerthan the global average of 20%, according to the Strategic Center for HumanRights in Iraq. This decline comes as nearly 11% of Iraqi households are nowled by women.
FadelAl-Gharawi, head of the center, cited International Labor Organization (ILO)statistics revealing that out of 13 million Iraqi women of working age, onlyone million are employed. "A significant 70% of these women work in thepublic sector, with fewer than 300,000 women engaged in private sectoremployment."
"Thisis a concerning indicator that requires immediate attention to understand whywomen are hesitant to enter the private labor market," Al-Gharawi toldShafaq News Agency.
He referenceda World Bank report that also categorized Iraqi women's labor marketparticipation as low, with figures showing women make up less than 15% of theworkforce.
According toIraq's Ministry of Planning, the public sector remains the most attractive forwomen, with 78% of female workers employed there, compared to only 21% in theprivate sector. The report also noted that most women working in the privatesector are from rural areas.
Al-Gharawihighlighted the primary violations against women in the private sector,including low wages, extended working hours, hazardous jobconditions—especially in factories—and instances of workplace harassment,calling on the government "to launch a national policy aimed at increasingwomen's employment and ensuring their protection and equality in the labormarket."