Laila Magazine and Its Impact on the Advancement of Iraqi Women

Abstract

Layla (1923–1925), Iraq's inaugural women's magazine, was a pioneering publication that significantly influenced the advancement of Iraqi women during the early 20th century. Founded by Paulina Hassoun, a Jordanian-born journalist and educator, Layla served as a platform for advocating women's rights, education, and social reform in a period marked by national transformation and emerging feminist consciousness. The magazine's editorial mission, encapsulated in its slogan "On the Way to the Revival of the Iraqi Woman," encompassed a diverse range of topics, including science, art, literature, sociology, child-rearing, and home economics. It played a crucial role in promoting gender equality by addressing issues such as girls' education, family health, and women's financial independence. Notably, Layla published works by renowned Iraqi poets like al-Rasafi and al-Zahawi, and featured an editorial in May 1924 urging the Constituent Iraqi Assembly to grant women their rights . Despite its brief existence, with only 20 issues published between October 1923 and August 1925, Layla left an indelible mark on the Iraqi women's movement. It catalyzed the formation of the Women's Awakening Club in 1923, Iraq's first women's organization, and inspired subsequent generations to continue the struggle for women's rights. Paulina Hassoun's legacy endures as a testament to the transformative power of media in advancing social change.