Iraqi widows feel lost in land that cannot provide

[UpInArms]

http://today.reuters.com/PrinterFriendlyPopup.aspx?type=lifeAndLeisureNews&storyID=uri:2006-01-11T131042Z_01_FOR147381_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ-WIDOWS.xml

excerpt:

Traditionally, Iraqi widows have been supported by their late husband's family or other relatives, but in a country brought to its knees by violence and war, there is now little to spare for the most vulnerable members of society.

"We don't have enough money to clothe our children," said Nawal Ayob, who lost her husband during the bombings in the first Gulf War in 1991 and has since joined Ahmed's co-op. "We have no salaries, no support. How can we survive?"

There are few reliable statistics on the number of widows, but the Ministry of Women's Affairs has recorded at least 206,000 in Iraq, outside of Kurdish provinces. There are just over half as many widowed men.

Women's groups, however, say anecdotal evidence suggests the number of widows is far higher, with some estimates putting the number in Baghdad alone at 250,000 out of a population of about 7 million.

<snip>

Now, rampant corruption and Iraq's general chaos have pushed widows' concerns to the back burner, women's groups say.

...more...

[CrispyQ]

1. Heartbreaking, simply heartbreaking.

That these atrocities have been done in our name with our money makes me sick.

I hate bushco.

[Skittles]

3. it is difficult to even try to empathize with some people

their realities are just so dire, so desperate

[pocket]

2. they had a social safety net before we broke it

fuckers.

[Karenina]

4. Intentionally.