Women Lead in Iraq’s Growing Economy
Meet 3 women who are driving transformative change in Iraq’s economy in partnership with USAID
According to a 2021 report by UN Women, only 13% of Iraqi women participate in the labor force. This is due to a combination of discriminatory attitudes towards women working outside of the home and unequal access to key resources, such as education.
A dynamic private sector is critical to long-term, sustainable economic growth. But when women are excluded from the workforce, its full potential is cut in half. And this is exactly the case in Iraq. Including women in the private sector through programs that support female entrepreneurs and women-led businesses can help build an even more robust and inclusive economy. .
In honor of International Women’s Day, we interviewed three inspiring Iraqi women business owners who are creating jobs and contributing to greater economic growth across the country.
Hasna, a Carpenter from Basrah
Hasna is a 50-year-old carpenter from the southern city of Basrah. As a woman working in the male-dominated field of carpentry, Hasna’s first challenge was to convince her customers that she was just as good — if not better — than the men in her industry. Since opening her own carpentry shop in 2008, Hasna has built a reputation for her high-quality products, including wooden doors, window frames, and cabinetry.
After more than a decade, Hasna noticed a shift in her clients’ tastes. She received requests for more modern and complex designs which couldn’t be created with her outdated machinery. Without access to finance, Hasna couldn’t invest in new equipment for her workshop and feared that she would lose customers. With support from USAID, she purchased new equipment, including a vacuum press, digital control cutting machine, and a manual tool sensor which addressed her customers’ demands and expanded her production line.
“We were previously only able to produce five to seven doors per week. Now we can produce 45 to 50,” Hasna says.
Shorter production times and new product offerings mean that Hasna can take on more orders, make more sales, and expand her business. She is also committed to hiring women as her business grows. Hasna rejects the traditional thinking that women cannot work in strenuous factory jobs. With many Basrawi families struggling to make ends meet, Hasna is an example to other women to take the lead in business.
“I can proudly say that I have the largest carpentry factory in Basrah for woodworking, and now it is equipped with high-end machines that will enable my factory to receive larger orders, thanks to USAID.”
Basima, a green civil engineer from Erbil
Basima is a 35-year-old civil engineer from Erbil with a passion for environmental protection and green design. She founded Kesk ( ‘green’ in Kurdish) — one of the first Iraqi companies to offer green-building design and consulting services. Basima started Kesk to introduce more sustainable building and energy designs, specifically solar-powered air conditioning units, which are a major source of energy consumption– in Iraq’s scorching summer months.
“I am deeply concerned about climate change, and I constantly ask myself how I can help be a part of the solution,” Basima says.
To take her business to the next level, Basima enrolled in USAID’s startup accelerator program, which taught her about marketing, sales, financial management, and investment. Basima also received USAID support to ensure Kesk met international quality standards.
“When I heard about USAID’s program, I said this is the kind of training I really need to provide me with information and skills that [will enable] me to deal with local and regional problems. ”
Basima has doubled the size of her team and expanded into new markets, which has helped her create new job opportunities and provide sustainable energy alternatives to Iraqi businesses.
Hamdiya, a farmer in Al Ramadi
Hamdiya is a 37-year-old farmer from Jazirat Al Ramadi in western Iraq. Following years as an internally displaced person, Hamdiya and her family returned to Ramadi to find their farm destroyed.
As the sole breadwinner after losing her husband in the war with ISIS, Hamdiya did her best to revive the family farm. However, without a greenhouse or consistent water supply, she struggled. Last year, Hamdiya joined USAID’s program to support farmers and women-headed households through the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund. USAID provided Hamdiya with a water tank and greenhouses. She can now grow fruit and vegetable crops year-round.
“I am grateful for the USAID support for providing me with needed equipment that allows me to plant many vegetables and now I am waiting for the harvest season. This land is like a mother to me!” exclaimed Hamdiya.
After years of hardship, Hamdiya has found stability and hope through her farming business. With the extra income, she hires other women in her community to help plant and harvest crops. Hamdiya demonstrates the huge impact that even a small farmer can have toward a more stable Iraq.
About the Authors
Clara McLinden is the Senior Development Outreach and Communications Specialist for the USAID Mission in Iraq. Robert Lord-Biggers is the Director of Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting for the USAID-funded Tahfeez project.
