The Gig Economy and Its Impact on Women in Iraq

Authors

  • Hawra Milani Royal Holloway, University of London
  • Zahra Shah Iraqi Innovators
  • Rikke Bjerg Jensen Royal Holloway, University of London

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15173/glj.v16i1.5883

Abstract

The gig economy has significantly transformed Iraq’s labour market, creating new opportunities for women while also exposing persistent inequalities. This paper traces the experiences of Iraqi women in the gig economy, drawing on both individual and collective insights grounded in the authors’ work in this context. These experiences reveal the dual nature of the gig economy: providing flexible work options while perpetuating vulnerabilities such as discrimination and economic insecurity. By situating our analysis within Iraq’s unique socio-economic conditions, including women’s low workforce engagement and infrastructural challenges, we contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamics shaping women’s participation in this emerging labour market. The paper explores the types of gig work available to Iraqi women, alongside the structural barriers they face, such as limited digital infrastructure and inadequate legal protections. We conclude by highlighting actionable pathways for improving economic outcomes for women and fostering inclusive growth in the gig economy.

Author Biographies

Hawra Milani, Royal Holloway, University of London

Hawra Milani is an information security researcher, consultant and educator, currently pursuing her MSc in Information Security at Royal Holloway, University of London. She holds a BSc and a PGCE in Computer Science from Middlesex University and an MA in Computing Education from King’s College London. Hawra is the director of The Code People, a social enterprise based in Iraq that focuses on advancing women’s education and careers through access to high-quality tech education. She leads several initiatives supporting capacity-building in underrepresented and underserved communities in Iraq. [Email: mmai260@live.rhul.ac.uk]

Zahra Shah, Iraqi Innovators

Zahra Shah is the founder of Iraqi Innovators, a media and data hub dedicated to fuelling Iraq’s investment ecosystem. She holds a Bachelor’s with Honours in English and Drama from Goldsmiths College, University of London, and a Cum Laude Master’s in International Relations from Leiden University. Zahra has worked across Jordan, Gaza and Iraq, focusing on community engagement and tech ecosystem growth through education and entrepreneurship. Since 2017, Zahra has launched a range of edtech programs and events to upskill Iraqi youth and women. [Email: zahra@iraqtech.io]

Rikke Bjerg Jensen, Royal Holloway, University of London

Rikke Bjerg Jensen is a professor in the Information Security Group at Royal Holloway, University of London. Her distinctly ethnographic work explores information security needs, perspectives and practices among higher-risk groups often living and working at the “margins of societies”. She focuses on how technology, as it is shaped by social structures, relations and interactions, facilitates multiple and collective security experiences and understandings. Most recently, she has worked within protest, seafaring, refugee and migrant and post-conflict settings. [Email: rikke.jensen@rhul.ac.uk]

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Published

2025-01-31

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2025): The Gig Economy and Women Workers in the Middle East (special issue)

Section

ARTICLES

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