Iraq
Recent Conflict
There are a number of factors that will contribute to Iraq's ability to rebuild and stabilise following the 2003 conflict. The establishment of gender equality will be central to this. Women in Iraq have a 20 per cent lower literacy rate than men. This lack of education creates social issues, because women are not informed about their reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and have almost no reproductive rights. This has a direct impact on the ability of women to compete in the economic sphere. Only 20 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is produced by women, and, while the average man earns $1,925, the average woman earns only $374 per year. This is a significant gap and directly impacts the ability of the country to move toward equity and successful development.
The Iraqi people have been devastated by the war and the ongoing conflict in Iraq. One of the major problems is the lack of security that exists as the country shifts from the old regime to a new government, making it very difficult for Iraqis to go about their daily lives in safety.
The country also faces immense pressure from the 2.8 million internally displaced people within the country. These people lost their livelihoods in the conflict and are now trying to rebuild, but there is already massive strain on local communities and resources, making it difficult for these people to find new places to settle. With the continuing deterioration of health and social infrastructure for displaced persons, this problem has become even more serious.
The country is also struggling because 40 per cent of the professional class fled the country during the conflict, leaving Iraq without the doctors, teachers, and other skilled workers it needs to create a more stable, safe society for future generations.
Levels of violence across the country fell sharply after mid-2007. This has been attributed to a major U.S. military build-up, a more aggressive strategy towards al Qaeda and Shi'ite militias, and Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's order to his Mehdi Army militia to freeze their activities.
Parliamentary elections in 2010 were relatively peaceful, in marked contrast to parliamentary elections in January 2005 which helped put Iraq on the path to civil war. Sunnis, who mainly boycotted the 2005 elections, turned out in large numbers. But tensions remain high, especially in the country's north and centre.
