Braving intimidation, hundreds of Iraqi women run for parliament

Awatef Rasheed, an Iraqi women's rights activist running as an independent candidate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, speaks during an interview with Reuters, in Baghdad, Iraq September 13, 2021. Picture taken September 13, 2021. REUTERS/Charlotte Bruneau

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A powerful mix of insecurity and traditional prejudice against more liberal female politicians put Awatef Rasheed off running for parliament when she returned to Iraq in 2014 after years abroad.

Seven years later, with Iraq less unstable, Rasheed has decided to contest a Oct. 10 election for the assembly, even if abuse and intimidation of women would-be lawmakers persist.