RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Iraq, like most countries in the world, is currently engaged in a fierce fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
This Middle Eastern country is also under intense confinement, and reports of domestic violence and gender discrimination are on the rise at this time.
Last week, El País released the story of Malak al Zubaidi, a 20-year-old woman who was set on fire by her husband for disobeying him.
“Help, help, someone help me,” cried Malak, covered in flames before her husband and brother-in-law’s indifference, a woman who was also in the house reported.
The same woman who would later warn Malak’s sister of what had occurred. This family member then decided to report the attack after seeing her sister’s condition.
“She had not visited us for eight months and they would not let her use the telephone either. It was her husband who replied to our messages. When my father called my sister’s father in law for permission to see her, he said she was happy and there was no reason for us to bother her,” reported the victim’s sister.