No Shelter, No Income: The Daily Struggles of Displaced Iraqi Women

Thousands of Iraqi women are returning to towns devastated by years of war. With limited resources, they live in makeshift shelters made of metal sheets, clay, and unfinished bricks. These homes offer little protection from extreme weather, making survival even harder.

Forced to Keep Moving

As the government shuts down displacement camps, many women have no choice but to return to unsafe areas. A joint report by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), Justice Center Iraq (JCI), and Hawa Organisation highlights these struggles.

One woman from Diyala shared that she has moved six times in two years. Another reported being forced to relocate three times in just six months because her rented home was sold. Many return to find their houses destroyed. Others face accusations of extremist ties, leading to social exclusion.

“I own a house, but unknown people damaged it because my husband is an ISIS member, and I cannot return to the house or restore it,” says Sara*.

Even local authorities show little sympathy. Aaliyah* revealed, “I am threatened with eviction by the Mukhtar from where I currently live and forced to return to my area of origin.” However, her home no longer exists. “My house is completely destroyed,” she adds.

No Jobs, No Income

Before the war, many returnees depended on agriculture and livestock. Now, armed groups occupy farmlands, and resources have dried up.

Government aid is scarce and insufficient. Most rely on Iraq’s social welfare program, but the payments barely cover a week’s expenses. “We live on a social welfare salary, which is not enough for one person. The social welfare salary is a salary of humiliation,” one interviewee told DRC.

Women trying to restart small businesses struggle due to a lack of capital. Those who find jobs face judgment and hostility. Sajda*, a widow, recounted, “I have orphans, and I work as a cleaner. My family disowned me because I am doing this job. I have no other solution. How can I live with the orphans since I have no income?”

Another woman said she hides her job from relatives, fearing they will forbid her from working.

Living in Fear

Beyond economic hardships, these women live under constant threat. Without male guardians, they become easy targets. One woman shared that her neighbor harasses her, calling her a “Daesh wife” and using derogatory language.

Some women fear for their safety daily. A woman in Salah al-Din said a man follows her, takes pictures without consent, and threatens her. When victims seek help, authorities often ignore their complaints.

“I am subjected to harassment, discrimination, and violence by everyone in the area because I am a woman, and I have no man behind me,” says Farha*. “I complained to the police, but nothing happened.”

Even among neighbors, tension lingers between the families of ISIS victims and those linked to ISIS members. These divisions overshadow acts of kindness from people who try to help displaced women resettle.

Bureaucracy Blocks Aid

Applying for assistance is another challenge. Many women cannot submit compensation claims because they lack legal documents or money for legal fees. Others report that officials demand bribes to process paperwork.

One woman, struggling to register her children, explained, “I have three children without any identification documents, and my husband is missing. I was harassed and asked for a bribe to obtain legal documents.” Another added, “I had to pay a bribe to receive my martyr husband’s salary. Life has become ugly. Everyone wants to take advantage.”

Holding on to Hope

Despite these challenges, many women remain determined to rebuild. Some dream of opening small businesses like bakeries, tailoring shops, or women-run grocery stores. Others wish to return to farming but lack the resources to reclaim their land.

However, uncertainty looms. Without stable housing, steady jobs, or clear reintegration plans, many feel trapped.

“We don’t want to return,” one woman admitted. “We got used to being here, despite the hardships. Before, we had crops and orchards. Now, everything is gone. Why would we go back?”

Every day, Iraqi women wrestle with this question, caught between a painful past and an uncertain future.