FEMALES HONOURED: The feminist Babel museum dedicated to Iraq’s high achieving women

By Sarah Al-Qaher in Babel

A new museum in the southern Iraqi province of Babel is focused on the achievements of Iraqi women over the past century. The Honna Al Hayat museum (the name means “they are life”) was founded by feminist activist, Zainab al-No’mani, and documents contributions made by Iraqi women in various fields, from politics and social activism to sports, culture and literature.

Located in the historical city of Hammurabi, the museum’s vast collection spans over 100 years of history, showcasing the vital role local women have played in shaping Iraqi society.

Al-No’mani named the museum to convey the message that Iraqi women contribute to building a cohesive and healthy society. The museum’s core mission is to highlight the often-overlooked stories of Iraqi women, she explains, and is especially important for the younger generations who may not be aware of these contributions. The museum is meant to bridge the past and the present, inspiring young female leaders to better understand their society and its development.

“We want this museum to help create a new generation of young female leaders who recognize their responsibilities and understand their power to shape society,” says al-No’mani, who works as a researcher in women’s and family issues and who has overseen numerous United Nations projects focused on women’s development. “It’s also about changing the narrative, correcting misconceptions, and showcasing the positive contributions of Iraqi women – which are often overshadowed – in the media,” she says.

The museum’s exhibits are organized in a chronological way and they feature a wide range, including visual art, ceramics, sculptures, paintings, musical instruments and historical manuscripts. Among the most prominent are models representing iconic Iraqi women like Naziha al-Dulaimi, who, in 2020, became the first woman to hold a ministerial office in the Arab world, as well as writer and activist Bint al-Huda al-Sadr, influential feminist poet Nazik al-Malaika, internationally renowned architect Zaha Hadid and feminist lawyer Sabiha al-Shaykh Da’ud, who was Iraq’s first female law graduate.

The museum also includes interactive spaces like a puppet theatre, a music section and areas dedicated to the heritage of rural regions. Visitors can also explore traditional clothing, accessories and the handicrafts that reflect Iraq’s diverse cultural legacy.

Setting up the museum wasn’t easy, al-No’mani says. Funds for it were hard to find as was a suitable location. But by collaborating with local and international Iraqi artists, she was able to make it work. Some of the museum’s exhibits were sourced from Iraqi museums, while others came directly from artists.

The choice of Babel as the museum’s location also has symbolic significance. In ancient Mesopotamian cultures, women were honoured as symbols of fertility and life. The Babylonians, in particular, regarded women as integral to the continuation of life and the earth, making Babel a fitting home for the museum.

Al-No’mani has been working hard to promote the museum. She has also organized multiple exhibitions and festivals in Babel, that have been recognized by local and international organizations. The founder has also received numerous awards, including from the UN and from Jordan. The department for women’s empowerment at the Iraqi Ministry of Youth and Sports has also honoured her work, by recognizing the museum as one of the most innovative and pioneering cultural projects in Iraq.

This article is part of a series supported by the “Qarib” program, funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and implemented by the French Agency for Media Development (CFI).

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