On Monday, August 18, 2025, the Master’s thesis of graduate student Sarah Maher Hamed was defended at the Department of History, College of Education for Humanities. The thesis is titled:
“Iraqi Women’s Newspapers and Magazines (1923–1968): A Historical Study.”
This study examines Iraqi women’s newspapers and magazines published between 1923 and 1968, as influential media and cultural platforms that contributed to shaping feminist awareness in Iraq. These outlets served as a crucial part of the broader struggle of Iraqi women to secure their rights and enhance their social, cultural, and political status.
The thesis documents and analyzes the evolution of the Iraqi women's press over four and a half decades, highlighting the efforts of pioneering women journalists who played a vital role in amplifying women’s voices and advocating for their causes in a society undergoing rapid political and social transformations.
The study reached several key findings, including:
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Shared Goals and Visions:
Despite the diversity of women’s newspapers and magazines during the period under study, they shared fundamental objectives—most notably, advocating for women’s education and awareness as a gateway to empowerment, demanding improvements in women’s legal, social, and economic status, promoting female participation in public and political life, raising awareness about women’s role in building family and society, and linking women’s issues to national causes such as independence, development, and social justice. -
Evolution of Content and Form:
Iraqi women’s journalism witnessed significant development in content, approaches, and visual presentation. The focus shifted from traditional topics related to women, such as family and education, to more comprehensive intellectual, social, and economic issues. -
Influence of Historical Context:
The study revealed that the women’s press in Iraq was strongly influenced by the political and historical context of the time. There was a clear correlation between the content of these publications and the socio-political transformations occurring in the country.
The examination committee consisted of the following faculty members:
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Prof. Dr. Taha Khalaf Mohammed – University of Tikrit, College of Education for Humanities – Chair
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Prof. Dr. Judat Jalal Kamel – University of Tikrit, College of Arts – Member
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Asst. Prof. Dr. Saddam Khalifa Obeid – University of Tikrit, College of Education for Humanities – Member
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Prof. Dr. Ibtisam Hamoud Mohammed – University of Tikrit, College of Education for Humanities – Member and Supervisor
#Media and Government Communication Division – College of Education for Humanities – University of Tikrit
