"We Carry a Double Burden": Report Exposes Struggles of Displaced, Returnee Women in Iraq

"Being a widow is a huge responsibility. The widow bears more than she can bear, because she has two burdens on her shoulders now, the one of a woman and one of a man."

These words, spoken by a displaced woman in Iraq, echo the reality of over one million people who remain displaced and the 4.9 million returnees struggling to rebuild their lives. But for women, the weight of displacement is even heavier. 

A new report by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), in partnership with JCI and Hawa Organisation, reveals the harsh realities faced by displaced and returnee women in Iraq. Titled "Double Burden: The Lived Experiences of Displaced and Returnee Women in Iraq", the report brings forward the voices of women who have been forced into unstable housing, denied access to jobs, excluded from decision-making, and trapped in fear and stigma. 

"I changed residences six times in the last two years due to rising rents and poor services," she said.

For many women, leaving the camps does not mean finding stability. Many are constantly moving—evicted, priced out, or pushed into unsafe homes. Many who return to their villages find their homes destroyed, their orchards burned, and unwelcoming communities. 

"We live on the social welfare salary, which is enough for one week of the month."

Work is out of reach for many displaced women. Some were farmers before displacement but can no longer access their land. Others have skills but lack the tools to restart their business. Many who manage to find work often hide it from their families, fearing social backlash. 

Access to social safety nets is another struggle. Women report delays, being told to pay bribes, and a system stacked against them when trying to access the benefits they are entitled to receive. Others feel that their requests are denied for a variety of reasons such as their ethnic or religious affiliations, decisions from local authorities or perceived affiliation with ISIS.  

"I had to pay bribes to get my [deceased] husband's salary. One feels that life has become ugly. Everyone wants to eat each other," she says.

The report highlights the deep stigma attached to women whose families are suspected of ties to ISIS. Many of these women experience harassment, ostracization, or outright rejection by their communities. 

"I am harassed and insulted because they call me a ‘Daesh wife.’"

Despite these hardships, the women interviewed for the report express an unwavering desire to reclaim their lives. 

"We have returned, and we want to stay here, because here are our lands, our homes, and our orchards. We do not want to leave again," she says.

While challenges remain, the report also captures stories of resilience. Many women are eager to rebuild their homes and restart their livelihoods, calling for greater investment in agriculture, small businesses, and vocational training. Others dream of safe spaces where they can work without stigma, like women-only bakeries, sewing workshops, and community markets. 

Their aspirations reflect a determination to be self-reliant, to reclaim their dignity, and to create a better future for their children. 

DRC, JCI, and Hawa Organisation are calling on the government, humanitarian actors, and the international community to prioritize the needs of displaced and returnee women—ensuring secure housing, decent work opportunities, access to social protection, and an end to the stigma and exclusion that define their daily lives.