Iraqi women film street harassers on phones and post videos online, despite threats

Women in Iraq are fighting sexual harassment and abuse in a different way. When they want to confront men who molest them on the street, make obscene remarks or misbehave, they quickly take out their mobile phones and start filming.

On seeing the camera, such men panic and run away. The women then circulate the video on social media.

Through this campaign, women have found a new platform and a new way to speak up. All the women of a locality share the same video together, so it reaches everyone in a short time. But the women are also receiving threats. Even so, they are reported to have signalled that they will continue the campaign.

Sarah Jassim, a women's rights activist in Iraq, is raising her voice against sexual harassment through social media. She films people who harass women in public places and posts the videos on her Instagram account. Large numbers of people are watching these videos, and they have begun to be discussed in Iraq.

Many women who have been victims are passing on their experiences to Sarah. The videos are an attempt to bring the accused men's misconduct before society. Footage captured on camera can also serve as evidence in court proceedings, and is helping to demand answers from the accused at the social level. This may not seem such a big matter in India, but it carries weight in a Muslim religious country like Iraq. It is said that the campaign suits the country's social structure.

The campaign has begun to show results. Sarah Jassim said that one video exposed the alleged misconduct of a policeman who harassed schoolgirls, and he was subsequently arrested. In return, however, Sarah is also facing a big risk.

She is receiving calls and messages threatening to kill her. She has also received threats of acid attacks. Activists say there is still a mindset in society that women should not raise their voice against injustice. For her safety, Sarah has had to limit going to public places and is very careful when she steps out.

A law that ensures severe punishment for those who abuse women in Iraq is now said to be needed. Women's rights activists are criticising the existing penal code because it has no provision that clearly makes this an offence. It is also being said that, instead of relying on social media, the help of people linked to society and the administration is now necessary. For now, the mood appears to be turning in the women's favour, and it is said to be beneficial for them.