Iraqi Policewomen Told To Surrender Their Weapons

Los Angeles Times:

The Iraqi government has ordered all policewomen to hand in their guns for redistribution to men or face having their pay withheld, thwarting a U.S. initiative to bring women into the nation's police force.

The Interior Ministry, which oversees the police, issued the order late last month, according to ministry documents, U.S. officials and several of the women. It affects all officers who have earned the title "policewoman" by graduating from the police academy. It does not apply to men in the same type of jobs.

Critics say the move is the latest sign of the religious and cultural conservatism that has taken hold in Iraq since Saddam Hussein's ouster ushered in a government dominated by Shiite Muslims. Now, that tendency is hampering efforts to bring stability to Iraq by driving women from the force, said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. David Phillips, who has led the effort to recruit female officers.

Read the whole story: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[BuzzingAlong]

02:50 AM on 12/12/2007

Maybe Laura, or Jenna or Barbara can don a burka and go to Iraq to sing the praises of Iraqi Freedom.

Better yet, send Lynne C. or her two daughters.

[BuzzingAlong]

02:47 AM on 12/12/2007

"d"emocracy at work.

Good job George.

[Qbear]

09:56 PM on 12/11/2007

Shiite men in Basra want to continue their witch hunts killing and disfiguring 40 Muslim Women who won't wear veils or break another religious tabboo.
ARM ALL Iraqi women...we'll sort out the details LATER.

[sparkey]

12:03 PM on 12/11/2007

Odd that things seemed to be better for women when Saddam was in power.

[chronic]

11:11 AM on 12/11/2007

Folks, you ain't seen nothing yet.


Thanks to the Bush/Cheney Imperialist Junta and The Republican Crime Syndicate in congress and the courts!

[Meah]

11:01 AM on 12/11/2007

Congratulations to the Bush administration. You have turned Iraq into an Islamic extremist state. This is a sign of things to come.

[Tom95134]

10:50 AM on 12/11/2007

You have to admit it is rather had to draw a gun when you're wearing a burka. Of course they could always carry shotguns.