The history of Iraq, located in ancient Mesopotamia, has been shaped by the diverse civilisations that flourished between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Over the centuries, women have played pivotal roles, from mythological figures and monarchs to pioneers in fields such as architecture, medicine, arts and music. This article explores the evolving role of women in Iraq, highlighting their historical contributions and their impact on contemporary society.
1. Goddesses and queens in ancient Mesopotamia
Inanna/Ishtar: goddess of love, war and fertility
At the spiritual heart of ancient Mesopotamia, there shone a female figure as powerful as she was complex: Inannalater known as Ishtar by the Akkadians and Babylonians. This deity was worshipped as the goddess of love, fertility, war and justice. The goddess and protector of the city of Uruk, a rare example in ancient history of a divinity who united in herself both creation and destruction, tenderness and fury.
Inanna was not only revered as a protective figure of the people and kingdoms, but also as a cosmic force capable of descending to the underworld and returning, symbolising renewal, courage and the capacity for transformation. Her most famous myth - the descent into the underworld - represented not only the cycle of life and death, but also the inner strength of a woman capable of facing the shadows to be reborn with greater power.
Puabi of Ur and Kubaba of Kish: women's monarchs
During the Archaic Dynastic Period III (2600-2334 BC), two women were prominent as rulers: Puabi of Ur and Kubaba of Kish. Puabi, whose tomb was discovered in the Royal Cemetery at Ur, was a queen who ruled in her own right, without a male consort. Kubaba, mentioned in the Sumerian List of Kings, is the only woman in this record, underlining her political importance at the time.
2. Pioneering women in medicine and law
The first female doctor in Iraq
The history of women in medicine in Iraq during the first half of the 20th century reveals a gradual process of inclusion in a male-dominated profession. Although women faced significant barriers due to exclusion from medical education faculties during Ottoman rule and colonial accreditation requirements, some women from wealthy families were able to gain access to medical education. These women, often with the support of their social networks, were able to enter the local medical school, albeit in limited numbers. Once inside, they faced gendered professional specialisations that shaped their career trajectories.
The first woman to be awarded a medical degree in Iraq was Saniha Amin Zakiwho graduated in 1947. At the age of 16, she enrolled in Baghdad's medical school, attending classes alongside male students and without wearing the veil, a significant break with the cultural norms of the time. Six years later, she became Iraq's first Muslim female doctor, marking a milestone in the country's history.
Her life and career are documented in the book Memoir of an Iraqi Woman Doctor, written by herself and edited by Ellen Jawdat. In her memoir, Saniha recounts how, at the age of 13, she was completely covered with a black cloak and was accompanied by a family member when she left her home. However, at the age of 16, she decided to enrol in medical school without wearing the veil and attend classes with male students, defying the social conventions of the time. Her courage and determination paved the way for future generations of women in the medical field in Iraq.
Sabiha al-Shaykh Da'ud: pioneer in the legal field
Sabiha al-Shaykh Da'ud (1912-1975) was the first woman in Iraq to graduate in law and become a judge. In 1936, she enrolled at the Baghdad Law School, the only woman among 200 students. Subsequently, in 1956, she was appointed a judge, becoming the first woman to hold this position in Iraq and the Arab world. She was also a women's rights activist and vice-president of the Iraqi Women's Union.
3. Zaha Hadid: the architect who redesigned the world
Zaha Hadid (1950-2016) was one of the most revolutionary figures in contemporary architecture. Born in Baghdad into an enlightened and cosmopolitan family, Hadid studied mathematics before entering the Architectural Association School in London. She became the first woman to receive the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004, equivalent to the Nobel Prize in her discipline. Her futuristic style, characterised by impossible curved forms, floating structures and spaces that defied conventional geometry, transformed contemporary urbanism.
Her most famous works include:
- London Aquatics Centre (2012 Olympic Games)
- The MAXXI Museum of Contemporary Art (Rome)
- The Heydar Aliyev Centre in Azerbaijan
- Guangzhou Opera House (China)
- Bridge Pavilion - Expo 2008, Zaragoza
- Viña Tondonia Building- Haro, La Rioja
- Euskotren Station - Durango, Vizcaya
- Campus de la Justicia de Madrid - Civil Courts, designed by Zaha Hadid and her partner Patrick Schumacher
Zaha Hadid not only broke the glass ceiling in a male-dominated discipline, but also became a global symbol of Iraqi female talent. Her legacy lives on in dozens of projects around the world, and her name is synonymous with creative daring.
4. Iraqi artists and women's orchestras
Layla Al-Attar: Art as Resistance and Memory
Layla Al-Attar (1944-1993) was one of the most influential painters of contemporary Iraq. Her work addressed themes of female identity, resistance and Arab culture, integrating expressionist and symbolist influences with regional motifs. She graduated in Fine Arts from the University of Baghdad and was director of the National Museum of Modern Art in Iraq.
Her works often portrayed women with deep gazes and abstract or poetic contexts, highlighting both the inner strength and the silenced pain of the Arab woman. Some of her best-known pieces are:
- The woman and the moon: The work is an allegorical portrait of the spiritual connection between nature and the female figure.
- Torsosa series that explored the fragmentation of the body in times of war and conflict.
- Shadows of Baghdad: Pieces that captured the melancholy of a city caught between the eternal and the ephemeral.
Tragically, Layla died in 1993 she and her husband and daughter were killed when a US missile struck their home in Baghdad, in what is believed to have been an indirect attempt to target senior regime officials. Her death was mourned throughout the art world, and her figure became a symbol of the destruction of culture during war.
The American poet Roger Waters (by Pink Floyd) paid tribute to her in his song "The Bravery of Being Out of Range". mentioning her death as a criticism of the use of war as a political tool.
Widad Al-Orfali: pioneering artist and musician
Widad Al-Orfali (1929-2023) was a prominent Iraqi artist and musician. Born in Baghdad, she studied at the Baghdad Art Institute and graduated in 1960. In 1983, she founded the Orfali Gallery, one of the first private galleries in Iraq, which also functioned as a cultural centre offering exhibitions of art, music and poetry. After the 1991 Gulf War, she moved to Jordan, where she continued her artistic and cultural work.
Zuhal Sultan: founder of the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq
Zuhal Sultan, born in 1991 in Baghdad, is an Iraqi pianist and activist. At the age of 17, she founded the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq (NYOI), a group composed of young musicians from various communities in the country. The orchestra has toured internationally and performed at prestigious venues such as London's Wigmore Hall and the Edinburgh Festival. The NYOI symbolises unity and hope in the midst of adversity.
Aseel Hameem: renowned Iraqi singer
Aseel Hameem, born in 1984 in Baghdad, is an Iraqi singer who is well known in the Arab world. Her career took off at the age of 22, and she has released several songs that have been popular in the region. Her song "Ser Alhayah" became the most played song on YouTube by an Arab female artist in 2020, with more than 255 million views. Aseel has collaborated with other Arab artists and has performed songs for Arab TV series.
5. Combating illiteracy and educational empowerment
Government campaigns
After the land reform of 1958, and especially in the 1970s under Ba'ath Party rule, Iraq launched several national campaigns to eradicate illiteracyespecially among rural women.
The state provided accelerated literacy programmes, scholarships, free transportation and food in schools for women. In 1978, Iraq was recognised by UNESCO for its efforts in universal basic education.
Challenges in the contemporary era
Wars, the embargo of the 1990s and instability after 2003 undermined educational achievements. Even so, many NGOs, women's organisations and the government itself have maintained initiatives in regions such as Kurdistan to offer accelerated education for adult women and vocational training for displaced young women.
6. Iraqi Women Today: Rights, Challenges and Activism
Labour and political participation
Iraqi women have constitutional rights to work, study and participate in politics, and there are parliamentary quotas that guarantee their representation (at least 25% in parliament). Still, they face multiple challenges: gender-based violence, tribal and religious restrictions, as well as social stigma.
Voices that inspire
Activists such as Yanar Mohammedfounder of the Organisation for Women's Freedom in Iraq, and writers such as Inaam Kachachi, have raised their voices for women's rights from inside and outside the country.
The new generations are more connected, with access to social networks, online education and global awareness. They are claiming spaces in art, science, politics and technology.
7. Beauty, visibility and resilience: the return of the Miss Iraq contest
For more than four decades, Iraq did not hold any official beauty contest due to political, religious and social tensions. However, in December 2015was held in Baghdad the first Miss Iraq contest since 1972. The event was a cultural milestone that resonated at home and abroad.
Shaima Qassem Abdelrahman: a symbol of bravery
The young woman Shaima Qassem Abdelrahman, the 20-year-old from Kirkuk was crowned as the new Miss Iraq. The contest was conducted with respect for local cultural customs: no swimming contest and a focus on the candidates' intelligence, charisma and social commitment.
Shaima received death threats from extremist groups for her participation, but decided not to withdraw. Her election was greeted with enthusiasm from many sectors of society, seeing her as an act of courage, national representation and female empowerment. Following her coronation, Shaima expressed her desire to advocate for women's education and the rights of people displaced by conflict.
The event consolidates: new voices, new faces
Since its resumption, Miss Iraq has continued to be held annually, with women from different regions, religions and ethnic backgrounds:
- At 2017, Vian Sulaimanifrom Sulaymaniyah won the competition but was subsequently disqualified. Her first runner-up, Masty Hamaassumed the title.
- Also in 2017, Sarah Idan represented Iraq in Miss Universeshe was the first woman to do so in 45 years.
- At 2021, Maria Farhad Salema young Christian woman from Mosul displaced by the Islamic State, was crowned in Erbil. Her election was seen as an act of remembrance and vindication after years of religious and gender-based violence.
- At 2022, Balsam Husseinfrom Baghdad won the contest, reaffirming the diversity of Iraqi women.
These contests have become more than just aesthetic events: they are symbolic spaces of cultural resistance, international visibility and affirmation that Iraqi women have the right to express themselves, to represent their country and to reimagine their identity beyond stereotypes.
Conclusion: Women of Iraq, transforming forces of the present and the future
Throughout Iraq's history, women have played a crucial role in building the country's identity and culture, from the powerful goddesses and queens of ancient Mesopotamia, to the pioneering figures in medicine, art, and architecture that continue to inspire the world. Through the centuries, their resilience and courage have overcome not only the barriers of their time, but also those of a society in constant change and struggle.
In recent times, women like Zaha Hadid, Layla Al-Attar, Aseel Hameemand so many others have shown that Iraqi women not only have the power to be creators, but also to transform the world through their art, intellect and social engagement. The story of these women, who have broken barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields, reflects a legacy of strength and determination that continues to inspire new generations.
In addition, the return of events such as Miss Iraq reflects the desire of the people to regain visibility for their women on the global stage, despite threats and adversity. These contests celebrate not only outward beauty, but also courage, intelligence and resilience, positioning Iraqi women as symbols of hope and change in a region scarred by war and conflict.
The road to gender equality is still long, but progress in education, political participation and women's empowerment in Iraq is undeniable. Iraqi women are increasingly taking control of their future, fighting for their rights to education, work and freedom. In a country rebuilding itself after decades of conflict, they are the true architects of change, the torchbearers lighting Iraq's future.
Today, more than ever, Iraqi society needs to recognise and support the central role of women in its progress. Generations to come will continue to witness the women of Iraq, like the goddesses and queens before them, rise up once again to lead the way to a more inclusive, just and promising future for all.
Want to read about the Gods of Mesopotamia?
Take a look at our post on The Gods of Mesopotamia: Power and Myths that Forged a Civilisation.
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