The pictures in this link portrays the transition of women in Iraq. The captions indicate Iraqi women have now become much much more conservative compared to 5 years ago. Before the invasion there was a flourishing young population who would wear whatever they wished and enjoyed the freedom of being young persons in a changing society. Sadly, all this progress has now been blocked.

We can talk about a defensive mechanism that has caused these women to hold on more eagerly to their social values to keep together as Iraqi people. Deep inside, they suffer a pain caused by the loss of their beloved ones, having gone through sexual harassment and rapes in condensation camps and the loss of order and security in their society.


http://fotoanaliz.hurriyet.com.tr/GaleriDetay.aspx?cid=10569&p=1&rid=4369

I guess when people are afraid and times are uncertain, there is a tendancy to cling to tradition and familiar things. Perhaps this can be construed as a sad statement about the lives of the Iraqi people. But I think others will see it as a return to a more traditional way of life. However you see it, life has changed and is changing in Iraq.

Like Napoleon once said the shortest way is the highway and it is the best way...

All things put, there are more sadness, more restrictions, more misery in the lives of those people...

There is no need to venture into sideways in search of hidden bounties of oppression and terror.

Wow, that was a very interesting article, Vineyards... So sad, so horrible, so devastating... What is wrong with people...? I can't even begin to describe my anger by how mr bush ruined the world and his own country..

I just can't help but think that some muslims might view this as a victory (I mean women covering up more).

... and what about those women? I suppose they are worth being taken seriously and not solely in the context of some religious or political debate.

What is happening there is a total shut down of spirits.

I don't think there are enough zeros to describe how angry most of us are.....

Right Elisabeth... sometimes when I think about these women losing their family especially their children, it really changes my mood immediately. As a mother, I know how devastating must be losing a child. Very sad !!

here is another story of a young Indian Woman:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/10/03/60minutes/main576466.shtml