المرأة في الصحافة العراقية: تاريخ وتحديات

Abstract

This study seeks to examine the historical development of women’s roles in the Iraqi press and the contemporary challenges they have faced, with particular emphasis on the interaction between political and social factors and their impact on women’s participation in the media field. The study adopts a historical-analytical approach to trace the trajectory of women’s journalism since its emergence in the 1920s, beginning with pioneering publications such as “Layla magazine” (1923), through the transformations it underwent during different political eras, and culminating in the current media landscape amid the digital transformation. The findings reveal a non-linear pattern of development, in which the flourishing of women’s journalism was associated with periods of political openness, whereas it experienced severe setbacks during periods of war and sanctions. The study also highlights a discrepancy between the increasing number of female graduates from media and journalism colleges and their limited representation in leadership positions within press institutions. Media coverage of women’s issues has continued to suffer from superficial treatment and the predominance of stereotypes that confine women to the roles of victim or homemaker. Iraqi women journalists have faced multifaceted challenges, including direct security risks such as threats and attacks, as well as professional obstacles, including discrimination in recruitment and promotion and a male-dominated workplace culture. The study recommends adopting media policies that ensure equitable representation of women in leadership positions, developing effective legal protection mechanisms for women journalists, and promoting independent media and women-centered digital platforms. It also proposes further research to assess the impact of the digital environment on the landscape of women’s journalism and to explore ways of developing media discourse to make it more inclusive and comprehensive in addressing women’s issues. The significance of this study lies in its contribution to addressing a knowledge gap in Arab media studies and in providing a critical perspective on the experiences of Iraqi women journalists, which may serve as a reference for researchers and practitioners interested in gender and media issues in comparable contexts.