2009.03.17
Women Searchers' Payday
The Iraqi Army planned and executed all aspects of the security for the 31JAN09 elections. As the elections approached, the Iraqis examined possible threats to the election process. Women being used as suicide bombers was among the threats, because, for cultural reasons, Iraqi Soldiers could not search women voters. Therefore, the Government of Iraq hired enough women searchers to adequately cover each polling site.
Six weeks later, the women searchers received payment for their work. The women went to nearby Iraqi Army bases to receive payment. Their manager received payment for the group and then paid each individual woman approximately $50 for roughly three days of work and training. The average working man receives approximately $300 a month in wages.
Overall, the women searchers seemed pleased to be help their country and receive payment.
Manager of the women searchers receives pay to distribute. Interestingly, she handed it to an Iraqi officer to count and verify for her as opposed to counting it herself. I speculate that she displaying submissiveness.
The women searchers filed by to receive their pay. An Iraqi officer facilitated accountability of who received pay.
The room of some of the women searchers before they receive pay. Americans observed from the sidelines.
The room from the back, showing common dress and covering.
