Is Baghdad the Worst City to Live In? Examining Factors Influencing Quality of Life Assessment in Baghdad

Employing the Mercer international indicators as a framework, Hiyam Ali provides an analysis of Iraqi political and security landscape before delving into an evaluation of the quality of life in Baghdad, focusing on aspects such as education, transportation, and the impact of climate change.

Challenges Facing Women’s Participation in the Political Life and Civil Society of Iraq

Researcher Hiyam Ali explores the challenges facing women’s participation in political life and civil society organisations in Iraq post-2003. She analyses obstacles such as gender discrimination, lack of institutional and financial support, weak policies, and uninspiring legislation. She also addresses the consecutive social and political challenges that have exacerbated this discrimination. Finally, researcher Hiyam Ali proposes a set of recommendations and possible paths for public policies and civil society to improve and consolidate women s position within the current Iraqi political scene.

How Legal Reforms in Iraq’s Personal Status Law Institutionalise Sectarianism and Threaten Women’s Rights

In this article, Hiyam Ali analyses the proposed amendments to Iraq s Personal Status Law that could institutionalise sectarianism and undermine women's rights. Led by Shiite MPs, these changes would transfer personal status matters from civil courts to religious authorities, threatening individual liberties and weakening state mechanisms. This has prompted strong backlash from civil society and political groups.