Iraqi Women Face Off In Protests Over Constitution

9 August 2005 -- Small groups of conservative and liberal Iraqi women held competing protests in Baghdad today over the country's draft constitution.

Some 30 women in long black Islamic dress demanded the inclusion of Islamic law in the constitution, saying Islam guarantees women's rights.

A group of some 50 liberal opponents, most of them women, demonstrated to demand a secular constitution that guarantees equal rights for women.

The new constitution is meant to be finalized by 15 August.

(AFP)

Related stories on Iraq's constitutional process:

"Iraq: Islamist Women Speak Out On Constitution"

"Iraq: Women's Rights Activists Press for Gender Equality"

"Committee Struggles To Make Constitutional Draft Deadline"

"Iraq: Kurds Taking Hard-Line Stance On Constitution"