Interviewing women of all different ages and backgrounds, the author examines the impact of the UN economic sanctions on family relations, gender violence, domestic responsibilities, and employment practices. She shows that by restricting women’s ability to participate in education and in the labor force, sanctions reinforced conservative gender roles. She also shows how the 2003 war and upsurge in sectarianism intensified this problem, and assesses the future prospects for womens’ rights in Iraq.

Yasmin H. al-Jawaheri has a PhD in Middle East studies from the University of Exeter.