I really hope this gets taken care of properly.

New York Daily News - Ideas & Opinions - Basma Fakri: Iraqi women risk all for their rights: "If Iraq is to succeed as a model democracy in the Middle East, the next few days will be among the most crucial since its liberation from Saddam Hussein's iron grip. At stake is whether women will be full partners in Iraq's new freedom or whether they will be relegated to second-class status, denied equal rights and prevented from full participation in Iraq's society, economy and government."

The State Department's active in training to get women up to speed in business. This is a good thing.

Gulf Daily News: "APPLICATIONS are being accepted for the US Business Internship Programme for Young Middle Eastern Women. It is a joint initiative by the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Middle East Partnership Initiative, which aims to teach participants management and business skills. It includes one month of theoretical training at a university and three months of practical training within a US business environment. "