DISCRIMINATION WHILE REPORTING: In conservative Karbala, female journalists face many challenges

22/02/2021
1,026 5 minutes read

A Karbala-based reporter tells tales of everyday discrimination while simply doing her job.

By Hiba al-Majid

On that day, I woke up early and put on the clothes I usually wear when working as a journalist in the field. I also wore my mask, to guard against the COVID-19 virus, and this covered most of my face. With dark glasses on, most of my face was covered. 

I did not mind though. I knew that going to the site of anti-government demonstrations in Karbala, I did not want anyone to identify me.

Karbala, in southern Iraq, is a conservative city. That’s why, as a woman, it’s difficult to work as a journalist here. Almost everyone here believes that journalism – like almost every profession – should be a job for men only. Members of the local government and some leaders of the security forces have refused to allow female journalists to cover certain events that they describe as “women sensitive”.

Still, I have managed to cover the demonstrations here in Karbala. These protests are part of a large number of protests around southern Iraq, that begin in October 2019. Demonstrators demanded that corrupt politicians leave the government and that the electoral laws be amended, among many other things.

I became aware of some of the lesser known practices among protesters and that made me cautious. Over the last six weeks, I never left the house without my mask and dark glasses on.

I remember the first week I spent with the protesters. They cooperated with us as did the security forces. We worked together comfortably and professionally.

But one day this week, things got a little out of control. There were clashes between the demonstrators and the security forces and at that time, I was the nearest journalist to those events. I was the closest but I was always careful to remain neutral.

I didn’t confront the security forces nor did I offend the protesters. I really wanted to try and understand the different positions being taken. I used to stay late at night so that I didn’t miss anything, near the square that the protesters had named Ahrar [Freedom] Square.

The clergyman told me: I do not want a woman to hold the microphone. Bring a man to do this.

There was a tent for members of the press in the square but mostly there were male journalists there. Most of these work for television stations, affiliated with various political parties. There were only four female journalists covering the protests regularly.

I used to think that the city’s traditional ways would protect me from assault because to do this is considered shameful in our society. But things were moving fast and it seemed that it had become acceptable to use hurtful words against female journalists.

I often stayed in the square until midnight and I would hear some of the protesters shouting outside the press tent: “What is that woman doing in the tent so late?”

Fellow Journalists would answer: “She is our colleague.” But that wasn’t enough for the protesters. They would insist that I should have gone home after doing my coverage for the day simply because I am a woman.

In fact, one day my male colleagues actually told me to leave and to stay away for my own safety. Some of these male reporters were working for channels who were actually hostile to the demonstrations and they would often describe the protesters with very ugly words. But they were men and they also had bodyguards. It was easier for them to make friends with other men there and gain protection that way.

After leaving the press tent that night, I was forced to start covering the protests remotely. During one of the bulletins, I was preparing to do a news flash when a man riding a motorcycle came extremely close and screamed at me. I was really scared but I had to get used to this kind of behavior and not allow it to become an obstacle. My profession can have a lot of challenges and one must be patient.

Of the four female journalists covering the protests, two of my colleagues decided to do what they had been advised and stop reporting. Discrimination against us was very clear and forced them to withdraw. A third woman stayed at home but had her husband come to the protests for a couple of hours and take pictures and shoot videos. She would then prepare her reports using that footage.

The protests are not the only place where you can find such clear evidence of discrimination against female reporters. There are many other examples.

For example, if local government members are holding a press conference after 5pm they won’t invite women. They will only invite a male cameraman, if they know the reporter is female. This is because they believe women should be at home with their families at this hour. Men are allowed to come to the press conferences at any time, in any place.

I always remember when the security forces operations commander in Karbala wouldn’t allow me onboard a helicopter flight that was going to sweep over the city’s borders. He allowed all the male reporters to go though.

He literally said: You are a woman and I have reservations about allowing you to come because while the men will be able to endure any difficulties, you won’t.

I attempted to convince him that it was important for me to come along but he wouldn’t allow it, telling me that my cameraman was enough and that I should base my report on that and rely on him for such difficult assignments. Yet again he reminded me of the frailties of femininity, as if being a female was something disgraceful.

There are other events that female journalists are not allowed to cover too. For example, tribal conferences and meetings, such as those that are convened to settle disputes. My cameraman colleague tells me not to even think about covering these events. “Please avoid the embarrassment that will surely come when they ask you to leave,” he says. “They never allow women to attend these kinds of meetings, even if they are journalists. For them it is shameful to have women at such events.”

There are other events that I also remember very clearly. Like the time that I was reporting on the Arbaeen pilgrimage in Karbala – this sees millions of Shiite Muslim pilgrims come to the city. Arbaeen marks the end of 40 days of mourning for the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. I was there with my cameraman but I overheard one of the men on pilgrimage saying, “why are women poking their noses into a men’s pilgrimage? You should be at home.” He really believed that was my place and that women shouldn’t work.

Another day I  recall clearly: A clergyman I was interviewing refused to let me hold the microphone for him while speaking with him about an important event. “I do not want a woman to hold the microphone,” he told me. “Bring a man to do this.”

I started to think of the contradictions and inconsistencies inherent in such a demand. Why does he reject me? Why does he want a man to interview him? After all, I am wearing a headscarf and I am not an insignificant speck of dust. Why does he feel the need to undermine me?

This, and all the other incidents I mentioned, have been challenging but they have not kept me from my work. In fact, they have made me more determined than ever to succeed in my career and to hold fast to my chosen profession.

 

22/02/2021
1,026 5 minutes read

Related Articles

Photo of An Iraqi woman explains why it is so important for she and her Iraqi sisters to join anti-government protests.

An Iraqi woman explains why it is so important for she and her Iraqi sisters to join anti-government protests.

04/03/2020
Photo of Kidnapping, Threats, Bad Pay: Iraqi Journalist Who Made International Headlines, Reflects on a Career Well Spent

Kidnapping, Threats, Bad Pay: Iraqi Journalist Who Made International Headlines, Reflects on a Career Well Spent

19/07/2019
Photo of First Year of asylum!

First Year of asylum!

07/06/2019
Photo of Studying the Law … When We Commemorate Our Old Dreams  

Studying the Law … When We Commemorate Our Old Dreams  

15/05/2019

193 Comments

  3. Oh my goodness! Amazing short article dude! Thanks, Nevertheless I am undergoing problems together with your RSS. I donA­t fully grasp The explanation why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there any one owning similar RSS concerns? Any person that appreciates the answer will you kindly answer? Thanks!!

  5. Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga team? There’s quite a bit of folks that I feel would actually get pleasure from your written content. Make sure you let me know. Many many thanks

  7. Do you brain if I quote several of one’s posts as long as I provide credit score and sources back again to your weblog? My blog is in the exact same location of desire as yours and my end users would definitely take advantage of plenty of the data you present listed here. Make sure you let me know if this all right with you. Many thanks!

  8. That is an effective tip In particular to All those refreshing on the blogosphere. Temporary but extremely specific information and facts… Several thanks for sharing this one. A must examine publish!

  9. I have been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.

  11. I’m not confident where you’re getting your info, but good topic. I desires to invest some time Discovering much more or knowing additional. Thanks for superb info I had been searching for this data for my mission

  13. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

  14. Wow that was strange. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say excellent blog!

  15. I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thx again!

  18. It?¦s really a nice and helpful piece of info. I am satisfied that you just shared this useful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

  19. Great blog you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics discussed here? I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get feed-back from other experienced individuals that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Kudos!

  26. I have read a few good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to make such a great informative site.

  31. you are in point of fact a good webmaster. The web site loading velocity is incredible. It sort of feels that you’re doing any unique trick. Furthermore, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve performed a great activity on this matter!

  34. I’ve really noticed that credit repair activity must be conducted with techniques. If not, you may find yourself causing harm to your rating. In order to grow into success fixing your credit history you have to ensure that from this second you pay your entire monthly costs promptly in advance of their planned date. It is really significant since by not really accomplishing so, all other activities that you will take to improve your credit ranking will not be effective. Thanks for sharing your strategies.

  35. naturally like your website but you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it very troublesome to inform the truth however I will certainly come again again.

  36. This is top-notch! I wonder how much effort and time you have spent to come up with these informative posts about SEO. Should you be interested in generating more ideas about this subject, take a look at my website xrank.cyou

  41. Definitely consider that that you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the internet the simplest thing to remember of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly do not recognise about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing with no need side-effects , other people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thank you

  50. A large percentage of of what you state is supprisingly precise and that makes me wonder the reason why I had not looked at this with this light previously. This particular piece really did turn the light on for me personally as far as this specific subject matter goes. Nonetheless at this time there is actually just one position I am not really too cozy with so while I attempt to reconcile that with the actual core theme of your position, allow me observe just what all the rest of your subscribers have to say.Well done.

  66. My brother recommended I would possibly like this blog. He was once totally right. This put up actually made my day. You cann’t imagine just how so much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!

  99. Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossips and web and this is actually irritating. A good web site with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for keeping this website, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Cant find it.

  106. Some studies show that women with sclerosing adenosis have approximately 1 generic for cialis 6, 7 ATP hydrolysis releases free adenosine into the extracellular space, which in turn acts on adenosine A 1 receptors in the afferent arterioles, reducing renal blood flow and the glomerular filtration rate GFR and stimulating the release of renal renin

  108. Good day I am so happy I found your blog page, I really found you by error, while I was searching on Digg for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just like to say thanks for a marvelous post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it all at the minute but I have saved it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the great work.

  112. I’ve learn a few just right stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much attempt you place to create any such wonderful informative web site.

  113. I have not checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

  114. This web site is really a stroll-by way of for all the information you wished about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely uncover it.

  115. Hello my family member! I want to say that this article is amazing, great written and include almost all important infos. I would like to see more posts like this .

  116. Nice read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch as I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!

  117. I’d have to examine with you here. Which is not one thing I usually do! I take pleasure in reading a post that may make folks think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to comment!

  123. whoah this weblog is magnificent i really like studying your posts. Stay up the good work! You recognize, a lot of individuals are hunting round for this info, you can aid them greatly.

  128. Great website. Lots of useful info here. I’m sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks for your sweat!

  131. A person necessarily assist to make significantly articles I might state. That is the very first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I surprised with the analysis you made to make this particular put up amazing. Wonderful job!

  133. I was recommended this blog by way of my cousin. I am now not sure whether or not this publish is written by means of him as nobody else recognize such detailed about my problem. You’re amazing! Thank you!

  135. levitra en france com 20 E2 AD 90 20Prix 20Du 20Viagra 20En 20Pharmacie 20Jean 20Coutu 20 20Viagra 20Generika 20Ratiopharm 20Preis prix du viagra en pharmacie jean coutu Dave Smith said 14 year old Hannah died last Friday after being Гў cyberbulliedГў on the question and answer website ask

  136. Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed
    surfing around your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

  137. Very nice info and right to the point. I don’t know if this is in fact the best place to ask but do you folks have any ideea where to get some professional writers? Thank you 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button