Multi-National Division-South

Date: 11.19.2009

By Lt. j.g. Christopher Deluzio

Task Force Pathfinder Public Affairs Officer

Capt. Ann Demapan, a civil affairs officer with Multi-National Division South Women's Initiatives takes a few photos of the rugs at a factory managed and staffed entirely by Iraqi women near Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq. The factory employees over 100 women, all experts in the art of weaving fine rugs. (Photo by Spc. Gavriel Bar Tzur)

COB ADDER, Iraq – Women in Iraq have struggled for centuries to carve out a life of their own. Even with the advent of democracy, that struggle continues, and without attention and assistance, there is no telling how prolonged it may be.

With that in mind, members of Task Force Pathfinder, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, visited a rug factory managed and staffed entirely by women in Al Gharraf, a town north of Nasiriah in Dhi Qar province. The factory employs over 100 women, all experts in the art of weaving fine rugs.

The women proudly displayed their hand-woven rugs, some of which take over three months of daily weaving to complete.

In addition to offering the rugs in local markets, the women will sell their rugs to coalition forces at nearby Contingency Operating Base Adder.

Spc. Reya Russell, a civil affairs Soldier from Buffalo, N.Y., described the interaction with the women as, “an eye-opening experience.”

“I experienced first-hand how these women are striving to be more self-sufficient in their society despite so much hardship,” said Russell.

Many of her comrades on the visit shared her sentiments and were impressed by the women.

“The women took such great pride in their work,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Paul Alde of Jacksonville, N.C.

The factory has been in business since 1994, but only recently restarted operations. Though initially disrupted by the war, the improving security situation and renewed interest in their rugs has prompted the ladies to return to their work.

As the Army's first unit to perform the “Advise and Assist” mission in Iraq, an important part of 4-1’s mission is providing military support to building civil capacity in three southern provinces.

Women's initiatives – a vital part of that civil capacity – are an essential ingredient for promoting stability in Iraq.

Key to this mission is the cooperation between the provincial government, the Department of State-led Provincial Reconstruction Teams and the Soldiers on the ground with Task Force Pathfinder.

Built around the core of 2nd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, Pathfinder incorporates civilian experts, professional engineers and civil affairs units as it works hand-in-hand with the PRTs to develop projects and training programs that help the Iraqis address a wide range of concerns.