Female workers at Basra Gas Company- in pictures

Safa Al Saeedi, 29, right, and Dalal Abdelamir, 24, two of 180 women among the 5,000 employees at Basrah Gas Company near the southern Iraqi city of Basra. All photos by AFP
Safa Al Saeedi, 29, right, and Dalal Abdelamir, 24, two of 180 women among the 5,000 employees at Basrah Gas Company near the southern Iraqi city of Basra. All photos by AFP
Employee Safa Al Saeedi. At 13 per cent, the female labour force participation rate in Iraq is one of the lowest in the world, according to a report by UN agencies published last year.
Employee Safa Al Saeedi. At 13 per cent, the female labour force participation rate in Iraq is one of the lowest in the world, according to a report by UN agencies published last year.
Chemical engineer Dalal Abdelamir, 24.
Chemical engineer Dalal Abdelamir, 24.
The 2021 UN report said surveys had found that most Iraqis agree that university education is equally important for both sexes. But it also reported that 'attitudes toward equal rights in employment are discriminatory against women'.
The 2021 UN report said surveys had found that most Iraqis agree that university education is equally important for both sexes. But it also reported that 'attitudes toward equal rights in employment are discriminatory against women'.
Ms Saeedi graduated in 2014 after studying engineering at university in Basra.
Ms Saeedi graduated in 2014 after studying engineering at university in Basra.
Ms Saeedi jogs at the company's sports complex.
Ms Saeedi jogs at the company's sports complex.
Ms Saeedi's mother opposed the job because she was 'afraid of what people will say, and that it will affect my reputation and my chances of getting married', Ms Saeedi said. 'It was a challenge.'
Ms Saeedi's mother opposed the job because she was 'afraid of what people will say, and that it will affect my reputation and my chances of getting married', Ms Saeedi said. 'It was a challenge.'
Her job requires her to live on site for a month at a time, staying in company accommodation. After work, she plays sport, or jogs around the huge gas storage tanks.
Her job requires her to live on site for a month at a time, staying in company accommodation. After work, she plays sport, or jogs around the huge gas storage tanks.
On leave, she returns home to Basra, if she is not indulging in her passion for travel, which has taken her so far to about 30 countries.
On leave, she returns home to Basra, if she is not indulging in her passion for travel, which has taken her so far to about 30 countries.