Hard lessons for Baghdad teachers

Georgies liberation for women in Iraq

IRIN

...Since February this year when sectarian violence began to escalate, nearly 210 teachers have been killed and at least 3,700 have fled Iraq to neighbouring countries, according to the Ministry of Higher Education. But Ala'a said she will not flee, though she worries for the safety of her family and herself. "I'm tired and stressed. In the past few months, I have been seriously afraid that something could happen to me and my daughters. Women in Iraq are in constant danger because of the increase in violence, especially rape," Ala'a said. "Ten days ago my colleague was raped by four men on her way back from the school. She lost the most precious thing she had - her virginity. She is depressed and just wants to kill herself because she feels shamed in the eyes of society...

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