Ali Al Bayati, a member of the Iraqi High Commission told The National that in recent months there has been an increase in the level of female suicides that is linked to domestic violence especially after a high percentage of women have reported such cases.

One in five Iraqi women has experienced physical violence, according to a survey conducted by the health ministry in 2007.

The first draft of the stalled domestic violence bill was amended after being rejected in 2015 by conservative members of the previous parliament who said it infringed on Islamic values.

The domestic violence bill stalled again last year and again this year when the previous governments resigned, leaving legislation in limbo.

“The draft law has not passed because of the lack of awareness about the importance of such a bill and not giving it the priority in the legislative work,” Mr Al Bayati said.

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