A fifth of Iraqi women 'subjected to abuse'

Iraqi women demonstrate drills during their police academy graduation ceremony in Hilla in July One in five Iraqi women is subjected to either physical or psychological abuse, often inflicted by family members, Minister of State for Women’s Rights Ibtihal al-Zaidi said on Saturday. "One-fifth of Iraqi women are subjected to two types of violence, physical and psychological, constituting a very serious danger to the family and society," Zaidi said at a conference dedicated to fighting violence against women.
"The most dangerous violence against woman is family violence, from the father, the brother, the husband or even the son," she said.
"Fighting violence against women is a cultural issue, it is the responsibility of the media, politicians and the religious men," said Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who also attended the conference.
The overall level of violence in Iraq has declined since its peak in 2006-2007, ut women still remain victims of violence, trafficking, forced marriage at a young age, and kidnapping for confessional or criminal reasons, according to non-governmental organisations.
Iraqi women are also affected by a lack of social services, and some must head their households alone because of the death of a husband or son.