Kurdish Women Research Articles

Kurdish women’s activism in Iran: struggle for re-conquest of the public sphere

ABSTRACT Ayatollah Khomeini’s concept of ‘Islamic government’, and the 1979 Iranian revolution, sought to exclude women from the public sphere and introduced a new hegemony of the Islamic public sphere. For a variety of cultural and political reasons, many Kurds in Iran refused to accept the religious government’s policies. Using the concepts of public and counter-public, the article discusses Kurdish women’s activism and investigates what motivated them to challenge their marginalization. We argue that in confronting centralist-religious power and traditional Kurdish society, Kurdish women have created new counter-publics that could promote democracy and improve gender equality in both Kurdistan and Iran.

Gestational diabetes and pregnancy outcome in Kurdish, Somali and general population in Finland

Abstract Gestational diabetes (GDM) increases the risk of type II diabetes and cardiovascular morbidity later in life but GDM incidence in women from different cultural backgrounds varies. This study aims to examine treatment of GDM and pregnancy outcomes in Somali, Kurdish and general population women. Patient data of 312 Kurdish, 254 Somali and 508 general population women was collected from Turku University Hospital records from 2008 to 2019. The general population was selected by randomization with matching year, BMI, age, and parity. Singleton deliveries after 34th gestational week with no prior diabetes mellitus were included. Descriptive and comparison analyses (SPSS, version 29.0) were used to identify associations between ethnic background and pregnancy outcomes in women with GDM. The incidence of GDM was 22 % (CI 95 % 17-27) in Somali, 36 % (CI 95 % 31-42) in Kurdish, and 16 % (CI 95 % 13-19) in the general population women. Kurdish women had medication for GDM more often (43 % CI 95 % 34-53) than the Somali (22 % CI 95 % 11-33) and general population women (18 % CI 95 % 9-26). Metformin was more commonly used among Kurdish (30 % CI 95 % 22-39) compared to the general population (12 % CI 95 % 4-18) and Somali women (13 % CI 95 % 4-22). There was no difference in insulin or combined metformin and insulin treatment between the groups. In GDM group, vaginal deliveries were more common in general population (89 % CI % 81-95) than in Somali women (67 % CI % 64-81). Induction of labour (indication GDM or other) and instrumental vaginal delivery rates were similar between the groups. Newborns of all Somali women had a lower weight (SD -0.3 CI 95 % -0.7 - -0.2) compared to the general population (SD 0 CI 95 % -0.1 - 0.3). The prevalence of GDM was increased and dietary treatment decreased in Kurdish women compared to the general population in Finland. In the future, the treatment of GDM should be adjusted to better optimize the care for different cultural background women. Key messages • Kurdish women have increased incidence of GDM and less dietary treatment compared to the general population with similar risk factors. The pregnancy outcomes remain good in all groups. • With Somali women, the birth weight of the child is lower despite GDM status. This might direct clinicians to underestimate the effect of GDM when considering individual treatment.

LI DOR ZAYEND Û NETEWE(TÎ)YÊ JINA KURD DI BERHEMÊN ELIYÊ EVDILREHMANÎ DA

Nationalism is a masculine field and is based on “the unity of brothers”. However, there is an important participation of women in national projects. Women play an important role in the construction, strengthening and continuity of nationalism, both through active participation and through cultural and ideological involvement. Therefore, women attract the attention of national movements and discourses and become an indispensable subject of nationalism. This situation is also seen in the works of Eliyê Evdilrehman. In this context, in order to verify this claim, three works of Eliyê Evdilrehman, named Xatê Xanim, Şer Li Çîya, Gundê Mêrxasan, in which he tries to create a national identity with nationalist discourse and equip his readers with a Kurdish consciousness, have been examined. As a result, it was seen that the author presented the Kurdish woman as a national representation with her different roles and characteristics. The author characterises Kurdish women as rulers, leaders, warriors, resisters, advisors to men, biological carriers, carriers of culture and honour and idealises them as strong, free, intelligent and visionary. The author has glorified the Kurdish woman greatly, but he has done so by using sexist language and attributing masculine behavior and characteristics to women. Therefore, ironically and paradoxically, the glorification of Kurdish women in the works studied served to reproduce the patriarchy embedded in the Kurdish language and society.

A Survey on Female Employment and the Quality of Their Family Relationships in Mahabad, Iran (2017–2018)

Abstract The primary objective of this descriptive survey is to examine the correlation between women’s employment and the quality of their family relationships in Mahabad, a Kurdish city in the northwest of Iran. This locale has distinct cultural norms and perspectives concerning female employment. The statistical sample consists of all married women aged between 20 and 60 years and employed within the urban areas of Mahabad from 2017 to 2018. This group encompasses a total of 2,995 individuals (N = 2995). Employing Cochran’s formula, the sample size was determined to be n = 350. Participants were selected through multi-stage clustering and systematic random sampling methodologies. Data were collected through a researcher-designed questionnaire, with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient estimated at 0.89, indicating satisfactory reliability. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were employed for data analysis, including the chi-square test and percentage frequency distribution tables. The study’s central hypothesis was validated using the chi-square test at a 5% significance level. Consequently, the research findings substantiate that, within the context of Mahabad, employed women exhibit a higher quality of family relationships than their unemployed counterparts. Given the historically limited discourse on the circumstances of Kurdish women in smaller regions, and the prevailing tendency to focus primarily on the challenges faced by women at the lower strata of society, this research serves as a valuable contribution towards a more comprehensive understanding of the lives of this particular cohort of Kurdish women residing in the modest city of Mahabad. By delving into the dimensions of employment and the quality of their marital relationships, this study strives toward shedding light on the positive impacts of women’s participation on their family dynamics. The insights gleaned from this research hold the potential to serve as a model that can be extrapolated to benefit women in other regions across the Middle East in the future.

Twenty Years of Feminist Engagement: Reflections on Practice

This article explores the author's personal and professional challenges as a feminist and the strategies employed to address them. It focuses on the interplay of knowledge production, positionality, and ethical considerations in contexts of conflict and trauma, and it explores the complexities of intertwining personal experiences with academic inquiry. After highlighting personal struggles of navigating two worlds, the author emphasizes the importance of a reflexive and ethical approach in feminist research that involves navigating power relations and positionality, managing expectations, and responding to the needs on the ground. It ends with addressing both a personal backlash the author experienced and critiques directed toward feminist work in the region. Drawing on her experiences in conducting PhD research with Kurdish women refugees in the UK, postdoctoral research on women survivors of the Anfal genocide in Kurdistan, and a comparative analysis of the experiences of women survivors of the Anfal and Yezidi genocides, the article provides insights into the intricate landscape of feminist research in challenging contexts.

Kurdish women “bargaining with patriarchy:” The subversive woman in Ata Nahai's fiction

Over the past two decades, Women Studies has developed within Kurdish studies. Scholars from various disciplines, including sociology, history, and folk literature, have explored this field to shed light on the experiences and roles of Kurdish women. A less explored area remains literature, particularly fiction. This study focuses on Ata Nahai, a highly acclaimed novelist from Iranian Kurdistan, born in 1960, whose main female characters deviate significantly from the stereotypes of selfless mothers and loving submissive wives. Nahais short stories and novels depict women as subversive. Their subversion does not, however, bring about their emancipation, but highlights significant issues faced by Kurdish women, such as contradictory attitudes towards their own bodies, abusing other women and behaving inconsistently with their family members.

Association of apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism with gallstone disease in Iraqi Kurdish women

Gallstone disease (GSD) is a worldwide problem; the frequency of GSD varies greatly amongst different ethnic groups, possibly due to environmental and genetic factors. One circulating lipoprotein involved in lipid metabolism is apolipoprotein E (APOE). The APOE gene is polymorphic, has three distinct alleles, APOE2, APOE3, and APOE4. The an APOE polymorphism is linked to a variety of diseases, including Alzheimer's and type-two diabetes, so this study aimed to assess the relationship among various APOE genotypes and alleles with gallstone cases in Iraqi Kurdish women. The present case-control study involved 81 cases with laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstone disease and 80 healthy women without GSD. Genomic DNA samples were taken from blood to find the genotype of APOE using allele-specific sequence-primers and a method based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR). lipid profiles were examined using an automated biochemical analyzer. SPSS and GraphPad Prism 9.1.1 software were used to conduct the statistical analysis. No significant relationships were found between healthy people and GSD patients in genotype and allele frequencies. However, the genotype for E3/E4 and the APOE4 allele in GSD patients were higher than the controls (9.88% vs. 5.0% and 4.94% vs. 2.5%, respectively; P <0.05) but statistically nonsignificant. serum levels of cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, and very low-density lipoproteins were higher, and the levels of serum high-density lipoprotein was lower than controls. These findings revealed no connection between the examined polymorphisms and gallstone cases. Additionally, it was demonstrated that gallstone disease and lipid parameters had a favorable relationship. Keywords: Apolipoprotein E, APOE, Gallstone disease, Genotype, Polymorphisms.

Evaluation of Pregnant Women's Knowledge About Preeclampsia in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Iraqi pregnant women have a higher prevalence of preeclampsia (PE) compared to pregnant women in neighboring developing nations. Several maternal characteristics, such as gestational weight gain (GWG), mode of delivery, and neonatal complications, have been linked to PE. The aim of this study is to evaluate the level of knowledge of pregnant women about PE. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Kurdistan region in Iraq from 2022 to 2023. Data on women's knowledge was collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of 12 questions. The collected data was then analyzed using statistical methods such as the Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and linear regression. A total of 200 pregnant women diagnosed with PE and hypertension were included in the present study. The majority of participants (n=85; 42.5%) were between the ages of 28 and 37. Additionally, most participants (n=129; 64.5%) were from urban areas, with 45% (n=90) of them being obese. As for the participants' knowledge about PE, only 24.55% (n=49) were unaware of the correct answer, while 61% (n=122) stated that family history is not a risk factor for PE. On the other hand, 60% (n=120) of the participants were aware that previous PE is a risk factor for the current pregnancy, and 58.5% (n=117) indicated the importance of urine tests for pregnant women. Overall, the majority (n=144; 72%) had a low level of knowledge, while a small proportion (n=21; 10.5%) had good and high knowledge about PE. The present study provides a comprehensive assessment of the knowledge of PE among Kurdish women, highlighting specific areas where intervention and education could potentially yield significant impact.

Kurdish women’s interactions in European urban public space and the extent of their social integration

ABSTRACT The development of accessible and inclusive public spaces has been proposed as a means to address this gender inequality and promote social inclusion. However, there is a lack of specific analysis on the interactions and integration of Kurdish migrant women in European cities. This study explores the social integration of Kurdish migrant women in European urban settings, with a focus on Vienna and Cologne. It investigates the role of urban public spaces in Kurdish women’s social interactions and integration into host communities. The study analyzes the sociodemographic characteristics of Kurdish women in both cities and examines the nature of interactions, sense of safety, meaningful social activities, and barriers in public spaces. The results show that frequenting public spaces and engaging in meaningful social activities correlate positively with social inclusion, while feelings of safety and barriers do not show significant correlations. The study highlights the importance of considering the unique context of each city and improving access to public spaces and community activities to promote social inclusion. The findings contribute to strategies for promoting social inclusion of immigrant women based on their interactions in urban public spaces.

Kurdish Women’s Experience in Iraq: History, Politics and Literature

AbstractThe aim of this article is to study the conspicuous impact of the changing historical and political situation in Iraq on the Kurdish intellectual and literary production with particular attention to Kurdish women’s position and perspective on these changes. Focusing on the hectic periods of the Kurdish history and national movement in Iraq, the article answers such intriguing questions as how do the social and political discourses in Iraq shape Kurdish women’s roles and contributions and how has the interplay between Kurdish nationalism and women’s participation developed within the different literary, intellectual and political circles. Chronicling the various socio‐political dimensions of Kurdish national movement and investigating the ways in which Kurdish women’s participation has been relegated both by the Iraqi regimes and within the Kurdish national movements, the article presents a content analysis of different intentions, oversights, and insights of Kurdish and non‐Kurdish political, literary and intellectual actors regarding Kurdish women’s changing roles and desires in Iraq and of the images by which Kurdish women have been presented, thereby positioning itself within a socio‐political studies.

Psychosocial and Sexual Aspects of Female Genital Circumcision in a Sample of Kurdish Women in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Female genital circumcision (FGC), a prevalent practice in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, has significant psychosocial and sexual implications for affected women. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate these impacts among circumcised and non-circumcised Kurdish women. This comparative study was conducted from January 2 to June 27, 2023, at the Al Mesalla for Human Rights Improvement organization in Erbil, Iraq. Purposive sampling was used to collect data using a comprehensive questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic information, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), and the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale-Short Form (NSSS-S). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), with frequency and percentage used for categorical variables and mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables. Independent sample t-tests and Chi-square tests were conducted to compare groups. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 772 participants were enrolled in the study, including 382 circumcised and 390 non-circumcised women. The study found significant differences between the two groups in terms of depression, self-esteem, and sexual satisfaction. Circumcised women had higher mean scores for depression (12.19 ± 5.6 vs. 10.68 ± 5.3), lower mean scores for self-esteem (24.4 ± 12.1 vs. 30.3 ± 10.1), and lower mean scores for sexual satisfaction (52.4 ± 24.6 vs. 67.6 ± 20.4) compared to non-circumcised women (all p < 0.001). The study demonstrated that FGC is associated with higher levels of depression, lower self-esteem, and lower sexual satisfaction among Kurdish women. It is recommended for policymakers and healthcare providers to develop targeted interventions to address the psychosocial and sexual health needs of circumcised women in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Dissonant Heritage and Women Empowerment: Mestûre Erdelan (1805–1847) as an Example of Performed Heritage in Iranian Kurdistan (Rojhelat)

ABSTRACT Between 2009 and 2011, the Kurdish sculptor Hadî Ziaoddînî created a statue of poet Mestûre Erdalan (1805–1847), in the city of Sine (Sanandaj, Iranian Kurdistan or Rojhelat). A woman standing, carrying a book in her hand, the figure of Mestûre is unique in the Islamic Republic of Iran. She is not wearing the obligatory hijab but a Kurdish kofî. This paper presents the evolving representation and reception of Mestûre, the first Kurdish female poet and chronicler. The existing research on heritage in Iran focuses mainly on the policies of Pahlavi and Islamic regimes, tourism and conservation. This paper reveals the dissonant heritage-making that inspires Kurdish ethnic and national identity and the empowerment of women in Iran. The latter gained momentum, especially after the killing of the Kurdish woman, Jîna (Mahsa) Amînî, by the morality police in 2022. The multi-layered heritage performance engages identity politics, artistic creation and the new practice of visiting the statue of Mestûre. Starting from Ziaoddînî’s work as the focal point of discussion, the study identifies various links between the statue and other artistic products, as well as investigates the contemporary relationship between Mestûre and the inhabitants of Sine. The relationship is mediated by the sculpture and the moral imagination it stirs in empowering Kurdish women.

Histopathological and Molecular Characteristics of Malignant Breast Tumors in the Kurdish Population During 2019 - 2021

Background: Breast cancer, the most prevalent cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, is a complex and heterogeneous disease characterized by multiple tumor types with distinct tissue patterns, biological characteristics, and clinical behaviors. Given the critical role of histopathological and molecular characteristics in the treatment and management of breast cancer. Objectives: This study was undertaken to investigate the histopathological characteristics of malignant breast masses in the city of Sanandaj from 2019 to 2021. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, out of 1,631 pathology reports from breast tissue samples collected in Sanandaj, a city in northwest Iran, between 2019 and 2021, 597 (36%) malignant cases were examined for their pathological type and molecular characteristics. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 26 software, employing chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Results: The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 49.7 ± 11.9 years. The most prevalent molecular subtype was luminal A (56.4%), followed by triple-negative (16.7%), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive/enriched (14.1%), and luminal B (14%). Invasive ductal carcinoma was the predominant histological type, accounting for 82.7% of cases, followed by lobular invasive carcinoma (8.2%). Papillary carcinoma accounted for 5.9% of cases, metaplastic carcinoma for 1.8%, and mucinous carcinoma for 1.3%. Higher grades at the time of diagnosis were associated with the metaplastic subtype (P &lt; 0.001). The only biomarker that showed a significant association with pathological types of breast cancer was Ki-67. The percentage of cases positive for Ki-67 was higher in three types of breast cancer: Infiltrating ductal carcinoma, metaplastic, and papillary (intraductal) carcinoma, compared to the other types (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: According to our data, infiltrating ductal and lobular carcinoma are the most prevalent pathological types, and luminal A is the most common molecular subtype among Kurdish women in Iran. It is recommended that future studies examine patient survival based on the pathological and molecular types of tumors, including the evaluation of additional biomarkers. Furthermore, comparing these results with those from other ethnic groups could provide valuable insights into the impact of ethnicity on breast cancer characteristics and outcomes.

Women at War: A Feminist Study of Militarism in Gayle Tzemach Lemmon’s Daughters of Kobani

The study of women in war spans ancient to modern times, highlighting their significant contributions as combatants, nurses, spies, resistance fighters, and home front workers. Their experiences challenge traditional gender norms and have led to lasting social and political changes. This study aims to examine the profound effects of war on women, using documentary novel to enhance our understanding of the role of women in war. By exploring the real stories of Kurdish women fighters in Syria, the study illuminates the multifaceted impact of war on women and their transformative roles in conflict and peace-building. Adopting a feminist perspective, the study explores Daughters of Kobani by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon (2021), focusing on the unique suffering experienced by women in war.

The prevalence of molar pregnancy among patients with incomplete miscarriage at a maternity teaching hospital

Background and objective: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) involves a range of interrelated disorders that originate from the placenta; it can be benign or malignant. In the Kurdistan region of Iraq, data about GTD and its consequences is scarce. This study aims to identify the prevalence of GTD and its types among a cohort of Kurdish women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for a one-year duration from April 1, 2020, to April 1, 2021, at the Emergency Department of Maternity Teaching Hospital, Erbil City. Pregnant women in their first trimester and early second trimester (4–14 weeks of gestation) with vaginal bleeding, pregnant women with vaginal bleeding due to incomplete miscarriage, and pregnant women with a history of missed miscarriage were included in the study. A specialized questionnaire was prepared for the purpose of data collection. Results: Out of 380 incomplete miscarriage cases who were interviewed, fifty patients with gestational trophoblastic disease were included in the current study. The prevalence of GTD was 13.1%, and the majority of patients had a partial type of GTD. The current analysis indicated that there was a statistically significant association between the types of GTD, the personal history of molar pregnancy, and the age of participants. The analysis indicated that there is no statistical association between parity, blood group, and history of miscarriage and the type of GTD. Conclusion: The prevalence of GTD was remarkably high, and the partial type of GTD was the most common form present among the participants. The majority of the cases were diagnosed during the first trimester of the pregnancy. Complete GTD was more common among patients of advanced age.

Marlene Schäfers, Voices That Matter. Kurdish Women at the Limits of Representation in Contemporary Turkey

Marlene Schäfers, Voices That Matter. Kurdish Women at the Limits of Representation in Contemporary Turkey

Quiet Strength: Kurdish Women Kolbars and the Feminization of Poverty

We get money at the cost of life here. Do you think death is not better than this life?Being a Kolbar is darkness. It is unfortunate. You either get shot, or you fall down a mountain, then stay alive but disabled.1 (Arasteh, a Kurdish woman kolbar)

Voices That Matter: Kurdish Women at the Limits of Representation in Contemporary Turkey by Marlene Schäfers's (review)

Voices That Matter: Kurdish Women at the Limits of Representation in Contemporary Turkey by Marlene Schäfers's (review)

HIDDEN HORRORS: HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN IRAQ - A NATION IN NEED OF ANTI-TRAFFICKING LAWS

Human trafficking and settler trafficking are universal and general offence that use men, women and children for interest. Many parts of the world witness these kinds of trafficking, here we are discussing trafficking in Iraq. Forced nuptials, household subjugation within the community, family and tribe as well as strained labor and strained prostitution, are all forms of human trafficking that have been recorded in Iraq for a prolonged duration. Since the 2003 invasion and ensuing civil war, Iraq has flattered a more perennial harbor for external hirelings who are at a higher danger of being trafficked and majority migrates from the Philippines, Nepal, Bangladesh, and other countries with elevated degree of penury. In consonance to reliable accounts, the Iraqi military trafficked Kurdish women into commercial sex labor during the Anfal campaign in the late 1980s, and women who were displaced during the revolt in southern Iraq in 1991 have been detained for prostitution in the KRG. Increased risks for the most vulnerable women, children, minorities, displaced persons, and other vulnerable groups have also been brought on by the conflict with ISIS in Iraq. However, the Iraqi government officials are yet to bring laws that could prevent these offenders and punish them. Iraq has never brought any anti-trafficking codifications, aiding traffickers to advance to function with indemnity. KEYWORDS: Human Trafficking, Iraq, Migrants, Kurdish, Women, Traffickers.

“Woman” and Diasporic Kurdish Identity in the United States

Abstract There is a growing literature on gender and feminist theory in the Middle East now. However, there has been little work on Kurdish diasporas and gender in the United States. This article examines how US diasporic Kurdish performances of gender and narrations of gender work to create the figure of the “Kurdish woman.” Instead of falling into the trap of Orientalist constructions of womanhood, Kurdish diasporas imagine “Kurdish woman” as a way to challenge nation-state assimilation projects and erasure by practicing identity at the intersections of ethnicity, religion, gender, and race. The category of “woman” becomes an important venue to manage statelessness, create an important archive for Kurds, challenge ongoing colonialism in Kurdistan, and challenge US imperialism. Therefore “Kurdish woman” constitutes an important spatial and historical terrain for Kurdish women and Kurdish men to manage their racialization across national contexts and partake in the racialization of “others.” “Woman” is activated in the service of difference as a means to showcase the heterogeneity within Kurdish communities and expound on the relations Kurds in the US diaspora have with nation, religion, history, and resistance.