Throughout May, Jummar‘s coverage returned repeatedly to the tension between appearance and reality, between narratives that are promoted and the realities that are often sidelined, stifled, and silenced.
As June begins, we ask what does development mean when many of the necessities that make everyday life possible remain absent?
Our coverage this month examined the networks of influence that shape decision-making, the priorities that determine where resources are allocated, and the persistent gap between official narratives of progress and the everyday experiences of citizens.
Policies that protect women and girls, safeguard press freedom, and guarantee basic human rights are often absent from Iraq’s development projects.
The recent murder of Kawthar Bashar Al-Husaidawi is a tragic testament to this neglect.
Taken out of school at 13, Kawthar was denied a chance at life, subjected to forced marriage and abuse, and ultimately killed by her own family. It is not only the absence of policies that protect women and girls that demands attention, but the presence of legislation that legitimises child marriage and perpetuates impunity for perpetrators of so-called “honour” killings.
In Baghdad, Al-Rashid Street has become a symbol of restoration. Once the heart of the city, it is increasingly presented as evidence of cultural revival and urban renewal. But as Maria Talal’s piece explored, the experience of moving through public space reveals a different reality. The lack of public bathrooms is not simply an inconvenience; it raises broader questions about dignity, accessibility, and who public spaces are ultimately designed to serve.
Our discussions during the “Independent Media: Reimagining the Arab Public Sphere” panel at SOAS, further emphasised the necessity of independent voices in the development and shaping of narratives. In a region often overshadowed by political influence and misinformation, independent media provides platforms for unheard voices, uncovers overlooked issues, and is evidence of development in and of itself.
These stories are not separate from one another. Together, they point toward a larger question about development itself. Is development in Iraq measured only through restored buildings, cultural institutions, and investment announcements? Or should it also be assessed by the extent to which people have services and protections which are safeguarded, a free press, dependable public services and utilities, and the basic conditions necessary to live with dignity?
