Survey examines optimism of Iraqi women

BAGHDAD, March 6 (UPI) -- A humanitarian group focused on women's issues in war-torn societies surveyed thousands of Iraqi women on issues regarding economic and social welfare.

Women for Women International found a general level of optimism in 2004 when it first surveyed Iraqi women despite the lack of even the most basic necessities, the group said in a news briefing.

The 2004 survey indicated electricity, jobs and water as among their greatest needs but made note of the priority to include women in the political processes of Iraq.

Women for Women International conducted its follow-up survey in the fall of 2007, stating that "women's issues are society's issues."

The group noted that Iraqi women in the central and southern regions felt optimistic about the future of Iraq and found that sentiment was on a general rise. Those findings, however, contrast with the notion that barely a third of Iraqi women shared that attitude across the board.

More than half of the women surveyed said Iraqi leaders took women's issues into consideration when making political situations, and more than 40 percent of the women interviewed said the ability of school-aged girls to receive an education improved since 2003.

Regarding the future of Iraq, the vast majority felt that Iraq should remain unified, but only a third of those women felt that would be the case in five years.

"Sustainable peace, democracy and economic development depend on women's social, political and economic participation," the report noted.

Though the survey report indicated the group interviewed 1,513 Iraqi women, it did not provide statistical analysis of the data set.