American report: Iraqi youth suffer from frustration after two decades of change

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[size=52]American report: Iraqi youth suffer from frustration after two decades of change[/size]

[size=45]Translated by: Hamed Ahmed[/size]
[size=45]An American report stated that Iraqi youth suffer from major problems at the economic level and in providing job opportunities, despite the passage of two decades since the change of the previous regime, indicating that this segment still hopes in the upcoming elections to achieve its aspirations.[/size]
[size=45]And a report by the American television station (PBS) stated that "an entire generation of young people was born in the wake of the American invasion of Iraq in 2003."[/size]
[size=45]The report added, "This generation was supposed to be a human resource that drives growth, but it has been widely denied economic opportunities or a role in the political process in a country rich in oil."[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out that "half of Iraq's population of 42 million people are of that generation who are about 25 years of age or less."[/size]
[size=45]The report stated, "Alaa Star was eight years old when the United States invaded Iraq, but twenty years after that date, an entire generation of young people is now frustrated by not keeping the promises they heard."[/size]
[size=45]Starr says, “The leaders of the American invasion said that the generation of freedom will emerge and thrive within the atmosphere of the principles of democracy and freedom, but I am one of this generation and I find myself struggling for a job opportunity and the right to live and be free.”[/size]
[size=45]The report pointed out that “Sattar was one of the participants in the October protests that erupted in Baghdad and various parts of Iraq after accumulated anger and resentment over cases of corruption, lack of services, absence of job opportunities and widespread unemployment, in a development that the country had not witnessed since 2003.”[/size]
[size=45]He noted, "These protests represented an unprecedented opportunity in which young people aspired to achieve a change in the prevailing situation, as Sattar joined an activist political movement for youth called Homeland, which aims to renounce sectarian and ethnic segregation."[/size]
[size=45]And the report added, “After the protest movements were subjected to violent confrontations by security authorities and armed groups, Tahrir Square in central Baghdad, which was the center of these protests, is now empty of them, and the party that Sattar joined has disintegrated.”[/size]
[size=45]And Sattar goes back to saying, “These goals that we seek to achieve are the same goals that the October uprising called for. We want to build a unified Iraq. The authorities of the various political parties managed to dismantle our party, they offered money in exchange for adopting a certain political opinion.”[/size]
[size=45]The report considered, “The failure of the October protests movement to achieve tangible change is an indication of the difficulty that young people face in realizing their aspirations to improve the economic situation and provide job opportunities and services in an atmosphere dominated by corruption, nepotism, and unequal opportunities.”[/size]
[size=45]Nevertheless, the report confirms, “young people and activists discuss in meetings and sessions that take place between them in cafes and public places spread everywhere about the impact of the new election law on them and the possibility of new parties participating in future elections.”[/size]
[size=45]Starr stated, "We always say that it is a long-term battle. We agree that this battle is not fought with weapons, but through peaceful competition. We pledge to continue our path towards change for years to come."[/size]
[size=45]The report stated that “Kawthar Al-Muhammadi, an activist from the city of Fallujah, heads a popular association for the care of women’s rights through which she calls for better services. She was ten years old when her city witnessed a violent war against terrorism in 2004, shortly after the invasion.”[/size]
[size=45]Al-Mohammadi says, “Our mission is to serve the community and help them obtain services. Our goal is not to get government positions.”[/size]
[size=45]And the report stated that “women’s rights have declined as a result of decades of wars and hardships, which prompted society to resort to tribal and clan customs regarding women’s rights.”[/size]
[size=45]While he explained that "Iraq is now living in a state of relative stability," he stated that "women are still struggling to claim their rightful place within society and the political milieu."[/size]
[size=45]The report spoke of "a constitutional clause that included a quota for women to occupy 25 parliamentary seats. Kawthar knows who controls this right."[/size]
[size=45]Kawthar Al-Mohammadi confirmed, "Women used to play a role in life, but what we are witnessing now is their marginalization and exploitation without benefiting from competence."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Mohammadi added, "Politicians use women in their party lists to seize more positions."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Mohammadi indicated that “many women refuse to run in the elections because they will find themselves just a name to obtain votes for the party.”[/size]
[size=45]The report finds, “This is one of the reasons for which Al-Mohammadi refuses to enter elections to obtain a position or to belong to a party, but her independent activity also faces some restrictions to provide services to affected women and widows.”[/size]
[size=45]And Al-Mohammadi went on, “I have no choice in terms of providing financial aid and donations for women who bear the responsibility of raising a family. This matter requires government intervention, but these women do not constitute a priority for the government’s interests.”[/size]
[size=45]About: American (PBS) website[/size]
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