InfoAnda - Iraqi women's minister resigns in protest

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Army relents, will allow media at Palin book event | 21 November 2009
Iranian police surround university to prevent protest | | 7 December 2009
Nestle expanding in SEAsia despite crisis: CEO | 14 June 2009

Eurogroup ministers to discuss Greece soon | 11 April 2010

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Iraqi women's minister resigns in protest

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: Iraqi women's minister resigns in protest By KIM GAMEL,Associated Press Writer AP - Monday, February 9 BAGHDAD - Iraq's state minister for women's affairs has quit to protest a lack of resources for a daunting task _ improving the lives of "a full army of widows" and other women left poor or abandoned by war. ADVERTISEMENT In an interview Sunday with The Associated Press, Nawal al-Samarraie described how her office's budget was so tight that she often found herself dipping into her own pockets for the women who came begging for help. She said she finally submitted her resignation last week in part because her budget was slashed from $7,500 to $1,500 per month _ part of overall government spending cuts forced by plunging oil prices. The figure didn't include staff salaries. "I reached to the point that I will never be able to help the women," said al-Samarraie, whose job lasted just six months. "The budget is very limited ... so what can I do?" Al-Samarraie's resignation has cast a spotlight on the overwhelming problems facing Iraqi women, tens of thousands of them left poor or widowed by war. An untold number have lost their husbands or other male relatives to violence or detention since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, often leaving them alone with children and virtually no safety net or job opportunities. Al-Samarraie claimed Iraq has 3 million widows, calling it "a full army of widows, most of them not educated." The figure, which she said came from a government survey, includes those who lost their husbands under Saddam Hussein's regime and was impossible to verify. All Iraqis have undergone difficulties, but women face the additional danger of being sidelined in a male-dominated society. Widows in Iraq, for example, traditionally move in with their extended families, but many families find it increasingly difficult to care for them. Other problems for women include homelessness, domestic violence and the random detention of women caught up in U.S.-Iraqi military sweeps. Female lawmakers Sunday urged al-Samarraie to change her mind, and demanded that the government get serious about helping women. "Iraqi women need a national strategy to empower them and support their constitutional, legal, health and social rights," Safiya al-Suhail, a lawmaker from a secular party, said at a news conference. Al-Samarraie, a 47-year-old gynecologist and mother of five, said things quickly went downhill after she assumed her post on July 22, when her Sunni political party ended a boycott to rejoin the Shiite-dominated government. The former lawmaker, who previously served on the Iraqi parliament's health committee, was full of ideas about how to help Iraqi women, from establishing regional offices and vocational programs to building a women's center that would double as a mall. But her office _ with a staff of 18 _ was not a full ministry and had insufficient authority or resources to help women facing great hardship after nearly six years of war, she said. She gave some of her own money to one woman who was left homeless with her four children after her husband was detained, her two brothers were killed and her father died. "She's not educated, so she and her four children were in the street," al-Samarraie recalled. "I felt if I will not help her she will go in a wrong way. So I tried to help her to make a small shop." Al-Samarraie warned of the desperate Iraqi women who have become suicide bombers. "Many of them are widows, or homeless or hopeless," she said. "No one opened the door for them." Other Iraqi ministries have faced the same, steep budget cuts, but al-Samarraie insisted women should be given priority because they make up 65 percent of the population and because so many have been stranded by the war after their husbands and brothers were killed or detained. Al-Suhail, the female lawmaker, urged Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to refuse al-Samarraie's resignation and instead work with her to create an independent commission for women, with a larger budget. But al-Samarraie said al-Maliki signed her resignation the day she submitted it. A government spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment. "It's not such an important issue for him," she said. "It doesn't have the priority in the Iraqi government and not even the second or third." But she said she planned to travel to Turkey for an international conference on Iraqi women soon and would think about the pleas for her to return to the job. "Maybe with the next government it will be a priority," she said. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: World Israeli aircraft hit 2 militant targets in GazaAP - 1 hour 8 minutes ago Obama to push stimulus in rallyReuters - 1 hour 30 minutes ago Israel warplanes bomb Gaza after rocket attacksReuters - 1 hour 51 minutes ago Reports: Argentine seminary ousts Holocaust denierAP - 2 hours 7 minutes ago W.House seeks final passage of stimulusReuters - 2 hours 25 minutes ago Most Popular – World Viewed Unnatural selection: How far will parents go? Bus-sized boa slithers into record books Britain probing link between bonuses, risk-taking Amid deepening economic gloom, some see hope US Air Force orders 15 Boeing C-17s View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Monday, 9 February 2009
Australia's deadliest bushfire kills 108 | International |
Iran's Khatami to run in presidential election | International |
Pakistani Taliban release tape of Pole's murder | International |
Obama Re-Thinks Afghanistan Troop Surge
Father And Son Killed In Padlocked Trailer Fire
Three Found Dead In Apparent Murder/Suicide In Manhattan's Upper West Side
Plant and Krauss bound for Grammy glory | Entertainment |
Moviegoers ready for romance, snub Oscar pictures | Entertainment |
Jude Law plays cross-dressing Minx in new film | Entertainment |
Frosty reception for Mammoth at Berlin fest | Entertainment |
Australian bushfires kill 130, dozens more missing | International |
Israeli aircraft hit 2 militant targets in Gaza
Israel warplanes bomb Gaza after rocket attacks | International |
Israel warplanes bomb Gaza after rocket attacks
Usher Cancels Grammy Ceremony After Wife Tameka Suffers Plastic Surgery Complications In Brazil
Tamil Tiger suicide blast hits refugees: military | International |
Khost: A US war snared in Afghan realities
Holocaust-denier removed from Argentine seminary | International |
Taliban video of Polish hostage beheading
Iraqi women's minister resigns in protest
South Korea to stand firm despite North's threats | International |
Obama to appeal to public on rescue plan
Former reformist Iranian president will run again
German economy minister says will step down Monday
Netanyahu: No return of Golan Heights to Syria
German economy minister to hand in resignation Monday
Iran's Khatami to run in June presidential election
Merkel, party agree to let economy minister quit: sources
Iraqi shoe thrower due in court
Israel's Livni woos female voters ahead of poll | International |
Swiss banks to announce massive losses: report
Israeli poll rivals square off over security
24 bodies pulled from plane wreck in Brazil river | International |
Swiss say big yes to EU labour
China human rights record stirs struggle at home | International |
Militants killing laughter and music in Pakistan region | International |
China's Wen urges leniency for Cambridge shoe thrower | International |
W.House seeks final passage of stimulus
U.S. Offers Bangladesh Help In Protecting Sea Borders, Resources
Mali video raises hopes for kidnapped Canadians
US hero pilot left prayers to 'somebody in back'
US-TECH Summary
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,239
Russia signals new optimism on ties with U.S
Microsoft to launch cell phone software store: paper
Nude art clothed in protest against China's Internet crackdown
Spanish top court bars two parties from Basque polls
Microsoft to launch cell phone software store: paper
Two killed as Philippines military attacks teachers' kidnappers
Malaysia opposition party backs Anwar as leader
Plant, Krauss sweep Grammys with folk tribute | Entertainment |
Australian fire zone declared a crime scene
Chris Brown charged with making criminal threats | Entertainment |
27 SKoreans charged over deadly sit-in blaze: prosecutors
Techno-punk Prodigy back to scare off invaders | Entertainment |
Chinese man gets death penalty for killing 8
Actors group reconfirms stance on labor talks
US army chief tells NKorea to stop provocations
Blink-182 announces reunion at Grammys | Entertainment |
Indonesian floods close airport, cause landslides
Slumdog sweeps British film awards | Entertainment |
China urges Cambridge to forgive shoe-hurler
Viva la Vida wins Grammy for song of the year | Entertainment |
Judicial inquiry in Australian wildfires
Slumdog, Milk win Writers Guild honors | Entertainment |
Taiwan temple loans fund million-dollar toilets
India forecasts growth of 7.1 percent for 2008-09
Actors group reconfirms stance on labor talks | Entertainment |
Nissan to cut 20,000 jobs, forecasts big loss
Comedian George Carlin wins posthumous Grammy | Entertainment |
Seoul shares retreat as Samsung Elec, Ssangyong drop
Resurgent Mickey Rourke pins down another award | Entertainment |
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
No 'Buy China' policy: Beijing official
Techno-punk Prodigy back to scare off invaders
Korea Gas sees LNG '09 import costs up 5 pct y/y
Late absences of Brown, Rihanna cause shuffling
Taiwan 2009 orders to fall 10 pct as downturn worsens
Plant, Krauss sweep Grammys with folk tribute
Japan machinery orders fall less than expected
Blink-182 announces reunion at Grammys
Philippines to export more workers to ease crisis at home
Plant, Krauss win 5 Grammys; Brown booked
S.Korea Jan producer inflation at 1-yr low
Wozniak to hoof it on `Dancing with the Stars'
Reactions to the 51st annual Golden Globe Awards
Japan sees record fall in current account surplus
Fewer prostitutes, but conditions worsen after new law in Norway
Actors group reconfirms stance on labor talks
Fire claims building at CCTV Beijing headquarters | International |
Broader Gaza truce seen possible next week
Vonn strikes double gold at the World Ski Championships
Israeli election battle too close to call | International |
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Lil Wayne And Coldplay Dominate Grammy Awards In LA
UK lender Barclays rides out storm to post profit
Iranians fret over economy as president race shapes up
Eddie Murphy Ordered To Pay $50K Child Support To His Child With Mel B
Nissan to shed 20,000 jobs as recession woes mount
Sudan reportedly expels reporter over Darfur
Indian woman has football-sized tumour removed from jaw
Suspected ETA bomb explodes in Madrid | International |
Indian Musician A.R. Rahman Wins BAFTA For Best Music Score
Madagascar defence minister resigns
Whitney Houston Makes A Comeback At Pre-Grammy Party
Inspectors visit clinic in Italy right-to-die case | International |
Jade Goody To Renew Living TV Deal Despite Her Cancer Battle
Hamas cries foul over death in West Bank custody | International |
Chris Brown Arrested And Released On Bail Over Alleged Felony Battery Charge
Merkel loses Economy Minister ahead of election | International |
Kyrgyzstan stalls U.S. airbase closure vote
Amazon New York event spurs talk of new Kindle model | Technology |
Oil climbs towards $41 after OPEC supply pledge
Microsoft to launch cell phone software store: paper | Technology |
Rep. Artur Davis Begins Bid To Become First Black Alabama Governor
Vodafone, Hutchison to merge Australia businesses | Technology |
Legislators In 11 States Plan To Require Ultrasound Prior To Abortion
Report: Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius Top Contender For Health Secretary
Merkel in political crisis as economy minister resigns
Identity Theft Cases Up, But Amount Involved Down
Massachusetts Reports Rise In Elderly Abuse
Argentine seminary ousts Holocaust denier as leader
Massachusetts Reports Rise In Elder Abuse
Spanish minister blames ETA for van bomb in Madrid
Portland OR Bomb Squad Blows Up Student Science Project
Italian Senate tries to halt mercy killing
Race For Boston Mayor Heats Up With Asian-American City Councilor's Bid
Economic Crisis Boosts Car Repair Business
Six Americans Missing After Small Plane Crashes In Ocean Off Northern Puerto Rico
Metallica seeks Monsters of Rock magic in Europe | Entertainment |
Suicide bomber kills 28 in Sri Lanka: military
Female suicide bomber kills 28 in Sri Lanka
Nine children among 13 killed in Pakistan fighting
Emotions scarier than aliens: Will Smith
Pakistan wants more Mumbai attack evidence
Suspected Maoist rebels kill 6 policemen in India
Head of LG Electronics cool on domestic layoffs
Bangladesh, India deals to boost trade, investment
Government: India growth to slow to 7.1 percent
China denies censorship, persecuting minorities
Pakistan targets 130 bln rupees in T-bill auction
Poll: Support for Japan's PM falls to 18 percent
India auto sales slide 7.4 percent in January
Clashes in Philippines near where hostages held
Chris Brown charged with making criminal threats
Pakistan says c.bank rule won't hurt fuel imports
Australian bushfire toll rises to 171
Legislators In 11 States Plan To Require Ultrasound Prior To Abortion
Plant and Krauss dominate Grammys
Japan Tobacco sees record sales despite recession
Identity Theft Cases Up, But Amount Involved Down
Metallica seeks Monsters of Rock magic in Europe
Iran To Build 4 More Satellites
Pakistan's Jan trade gap narrows to $1.17 bln
Emotions scarier than aliens: Will Smith
Motorola Downsizes Philippine Operations
Taiwan's Jan exports slump at record pace
Taiwan dollar falls to 4-1/2-yr low on c.bank move
Chinalco shares up on talk of reshuffle, Rio deal
Woman Becomes First To Swim The Atlantic With Arrival At Trinidad
Massachusetts Reports Rise In Elderly Abuse
Massachusetts Reports Rise In Elder Abuse
Portland OR Bomb Squad Blows Up Student Science Project
FDA Approves Drug From Genetically Engineered Goat
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01