To get back to the title of the thread, ie women and Islam/Iraq.
I too know little about the finer points of the religion, but I do find the role of women appears to that of subservience. All the prohibitions that I know of seem to suit a masculine/suppresive viewpoint, and pongs a bit of control freakery. I know that I feel sorry for them, although they may not thank me for my pity.
JGM