Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat—First Lt. Rasha Al-Tayar, the only policewoman in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, doesn’t hide her delight at people being shocked seeing her on her way to work every day. “At first, people were astonished when they saw me in my military uniform. Now I see it as part of my job,” she tells Asharq Al-Awsat.
Tayar admits her career is not an easy one, requiring immense strength under pressure, particularly at a time when the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is threating the country, causing military personnel to become a greater target than usual. But Tayar opposes the negative view in Iraqi society of women taking on such roles. – READ MORE
