Yanar Mohammed, a well-known Iraqi women's rights activist and co-founder of the Organization for the Freedom of Women in Iraq (OWFI), was shot in Baghdad by two armed men on a motorcycle outside her home. The attack, which occurred on a Monday morning, left her critically injured, and despite being rushed to the hospital, she succumbed to her wounds shortly thereafter. This incident has raised serious concerns regarding the safety of female activists and the ongoing violence against women in Iraq.

The OWFI, which was founded by Mohammed in 2003 to protect women from violence, has called upon the authorities to investigate the shooting and bring the perpetrators to justice. This tragic event has sparked outrage within the activist community and among human rights organizations, highlighting the dangers faced by women who stand up for their rights in Iraq. The group's efforts to combat gender-based violence and advocate for women's rights have become increasingly perilous in an environment marked by political instability and a history of violence against activists.

Yanar Mohammed was recognized internationally for her work, having received the Rafto Prize for Human Rights in 2016. Her assassination is not only a personal loss to her family and community but also a significant blow to the broader struggle for women's rights in Iraq. As calls for justice grow, there is a pressing need for heightened protection measures for activists, particularly women, in the face of increasing threats to their safety and the eroding space for civil society in the region.