Role of women after genocide among Barzanian families in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Abstract

Background and objective: Genocide of Barzani people in 1983 led to the disappearance and death of 8000 Barzani males. After the genocide, Barzani women played an important active role which has been ignored by almost all research studies. The present study was an investigation into Barzani women’s lived experiences in order to figure out their role after the genocide of Barzani people. Methods: The present investigation was a qualitative investigation which was carried out by inductive content analysis method. The required data were obtained through in-depth semistructured interviews with 10 Barzani women who had survived the Barzani genocide. Finally, analyzing the collected data through inductive content analysis method led to the extraction of the main themes and subthemes. Results: The data analysis led to the emergence of three main themes namely, "making enormous efforts," "raising the children well," and "creating the family's future" which proved that Barzani women played a significant active role during and after the Barzani genocide. Conclusion: Barzani families, especially their women, have been through a large number of problems and challenges and consequent mental and physical harms as a result of losing their spouses and sons to the Barzani genocide; therefore, they need special assistance particularly from nurses and medical personnel in hospitals.