Women's sport in Iraq

It is often seen as taboo when women involve in sports and other recreations as it is seen as inappropriate by the large conservative culture,[1] yet in the Kurdistan region as well as the more urban cities of Iraq, such as Baghdad or Basra, society has become more accepting and supportive over time.

[5][6] Iraq was, at one point, a hub for athletics in the Middle East, but during Saddam Hussein's reign, involvement in sports declined.

[7] The country's unstable history of dictatorship and war, as well as the growing trend of conservatism, have been recognized as reasons for weak, lacking, and in some cases nonactive and even nonexistent women's sports teams.

A long string of conflicts left Iraq in an unfit shape to focus on sports.

[19] The current winners of the Iraqi Women's Football League are Naft Al-Shamal, who won all 6 of their matches giving them the win in 2021.

They played against the Jordan, Philippines, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, and Tajikistan women's teams.

[23] The Iraqi Women's National Futsal team partook in the West Asian competition for the first time in June 2022.

[24] Iraqi female cyclists won two bronze and one silver medal in a tournament held in Algeria in September 2018.

Dana Hussain is seen running on the orange Olympic track. She is in the row second from the outside area of the track. There is a purple border fence surrounding the track. She is wearing a black shirt and shorts, with red details. The number 2 is visible on her shorts from her number sticker, but the other number are out of frame. The number sticker on her shirt is blocked by her arm, as she runs. She is wearing red and white sneakers.
Dana Hussain competing in the 2012 Olympics.
Fatimah Abbas is seen wearing a black hijab, red track suit jacket, and black athletic pants.
Fatimah Abbas at 2018 Youth Olympics.