Arij Al-Soltan is a 30-year-old London-based freelance producer from Iraq. She has worked for various stations including Al Jazeera and More4 and is currently working on her first documentary about the female sex trade in Syria.  She has just finished another production in Egypt.

You recently produced a news report on the issue of Iraqi women and teenagers working as prostitutes in Syria for More4. How did you come across this story and why were you so keen to tell it?

After the [Iraq] war in 2003, my husband travelled to meet his family in Syria and told me about young Iraqi girls being offered for sex in clubs, restaurants and even publicly elsewhere. I was shocked to hear this and very keen to investigate it further.  Especially because I had always heard how highly regarded Iraqi women are in neighbouring Arabic countries. I also felt very strongly about the lives and the stories of these young girls and women. The report was the result of an initial research trip to investigate the issue but my aim was always to produce a more in-depth documentary highlighting this issue and the plight of Iraqi women generally.

What is the situation facing these women?

The situation is very difficult, to say the least. Most of these women are young single mothers with very small children, widows and teenage girls who lost their parents, husbands and brothers; most of them are the sole bread-winners and they struggle to survive and provide for their families in harsh economic circumstances amidst high unemployment.  When all the doors are closed, prostitution becomes the only avenue for them. But economic factors are not the only reasons; some are sold, kidnapped or bullied into prostitution once they arrive in Syria.  But turning to prostitution is only one part of these shocking stories. The bigger picture is a far more disturbing account of a nation whose women are desperate, lonely, neglected and unable to raise the next generation.  Not to mention issues surrounding abortions, exploitation, abuse, psychological distress and small children living in very disturbing environments.

What needs to be done to protect these women?

There has been a lot of improvement since I first researched the idea. There is a new draft law being considered in Syria at the moment that will enable the authorities to prosecute traffickers and categorise prostitutes as victims.  This draft law has been especially designed to protect Iraqi women.  There has also been a number of on-the-ground projects which, with the help of local charities and NGOs, offer shelter and rehabilitation to these women and young girls.  However, only a small percentage of people actually benefit from these projects and they definitely need to be expanded. The Iraqi government has to take an active role in protecting its women.  There also needs to be a change in attitude and behaviour towards these young girls and women.  Iraqi people and other nationalities alike despise them and this needs to change; that’s why I want to show their real stories and struggles. 

As exemplified by countless conflicts, from Bosnia to Darfur to Congo DRC, women are often the hidden casualties of war. Would you say this story fits into that mould? And broadening it out, why do you think gender-based war-crimes are so prevalent? 

I cannot provide you with a scientific answer. Having talked to many people, I get the feeling that wherever there is war there is sexual violence.  War creates aggression and devastation.  As to why gender war-crimes are so prevalent, in Iraq at least, I think this has roots in the nature of Iraqi society: its complicated make-up and bloody history. For instance, one of the prostitutes I interviewed had an extremely violent husband who worked in Saddam’s special guards unit.  What this tells me is that violence creates violence.  This husband had violent bosses, he had to be violent to members of the public, and of course this violence manifested itself at home as well.  So there is a pattern of aggression that is the result of many years of oppression.   The many wars and sanctions disturbed the value system of Iraqi people and of course the invasion added to an already complicated situation.

As an Iraqi ex-pat, how do you feel about the conflict in your country? Were the Allied forces right to invade?

I am ashamed to say it now, but I was pro-war. Like many Iraqis, I was happy to see the back of a dictatorship that brought a lot of pain and devastation into the lives of even my own family.  Nevertheless, years later I am confused, sad and angry. I am deeply disappointed with the American policy in Iraq as well as with the Iraqi politicians.  Having met Iraqi women and children whose dreams have been shattered and with irreparable damage to their lives, I can only say that the entire thing was a disaster. What should they have done? I cannot answer this. All I know is the teenagers who are not going to school anymore and the children growing up without fathers and the girls being prostituted at night are too much of a price to pay.  They deserved better.  The Allied forces and Iraqi government are responsible for the damage they caused to these people.

When did you last visit Iraq and how did you find it?

I went to Baghdad in October 2007; it was mad, but according to my relatives it was a quiet period.  If you spend a few days or even a few hours in Baghdad you’ll quickly realise just how much damage this war has caused.  We could hear bullets and heavy fighting everywhere.  Roads were blocked and people were having such a difficult time getting to work. Electricity and water were always an issue. I really admire every Iraqi for surviving, for living, for smiling.  I don’t think any other nation would have survived this hell.

What will it take for peace and stability to come to Iraq?

It will take strong and patriotic Iraqis who care about and love their country, not people trying to appease foreign forces or looking after their own interests.

Tell us a bit about your personal journey as a documentary film-maker.

As I said, making documentaries has always been my ambition, although this is my first serious go at it.  I have been working independently so far and although it has been a struggle at times, it is amazing how much you can achieve when you really believe in an issue and the people you are speaking for.

What kind of stories do you want to tell the world?

I am interested in the personal stories of people who have experienced the world differently and can teach us something.  I am also interested in issues that reflect the relationship between culture, religion, politics and tradition: especially in the Middle East.  I feel it gives us a better understanding of why is this part of the world is the way it is now. 

1st August 2008