Sulaymaniyah – Women, who have had a great effort in the economy since the foundation of the societies, have faced unemployment and they have been seen as people doing only domestic works. Their labor has been invisible and they have faced many difficulties when they want to participate in the labor force. Until recently, women’s participation in the labor force was a great shame in Southern Kurdistan. After 2014, they began to participate in working life but they are still invisible. 11 percent of women have participated in the labor force in Southern Kurdistan now.

The unemployment rate of women in Southern Kurdistan has increased, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Social norms that build limits for women’s employment still seem to want to keep women in houses.

As NuJinha, we interviewed working women and asked them why the rate of women’s labor force participation is very low.

“Women’s participation in the labor force is still thought of as a shame!”

Hewal Osman is a businesswoman in Southern Kurdistan. She told us that women have been treated differently in business life.

“Women can be very successful; they can create a much better working method. I hope that society can understand “women can work in every field”. Society says women shouldn’t work! Unfortunately, women’s participation in the labor force is still thought of as a shame!”

“Women's economic freedom reduces violence against women”

Dinya Emer is the owner of a perfumery in Sulaymaniyah. She told us that women are not allowed to work in Southern Kurdistan.

“But women should work because when they work, they have self-confidence and they can show their skills. When I decided to work, my decision was initially not approved by my community. I faced many criticisms every day. But I insisted on working and now I like working. If women have economic freedom, they can make decisions about their lives. Women's economic freedom also reduces violence against women.”