Many Iraqi women say life was better under Saddam

Iraqi women say they are now worse off than they were during the rule of dictator Saddam Hussein and that their plight has deteriorated year by year since the US-led invasion in March 2003.

Now they are demanding not just equal rights but the very "right to live," says Shameran Marugi, head of the non-governmental organisation Iraqi Women's Committee.

"The 'right to live' is a slogan that we have begun using because a women's life in Iraq is being threatened on all sides. Laws are not being implemented equally and society is ignoring women," Maguri told AFP.

"Before the 2003 invasion it was possible for a woman to lead a normal life as long as she followed state policy," she said.

"It was even possible for a woman to engage in political and economic activities through the official Union of Iraqi Women.

"When the regime change occurred in 2003, women, men, and children went out on to the streets to celebrate. We were very happy," she said.