Exploration of Psychological, Social, and Familial Issues of Females Living in the Shelter in Iraqi Kurdistan Through an Art-Based Qualitative Study.

Objective: Female young prisoners may not be willing to discuss their familial and social issues through direct interviews. Therefore, other academic techniques, such as art-based techniques, could be used in this context. We aimed to explore female prisoners' psychological, familial, and social issues through an art-based approach.

Methods: In this thematic qualitative study, we conducted a 2-h painting training program for females (21-48 years) who were confined in women's shelters in the Kurdistan Region. To carry out this initiative, we collaborated with the administration of women's prisoners in Duhok, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah governorates in the Kurdistan Region.

Results: The paintings included in this study explored the social and familial issues faced by girls and women who were imprisoned for various reasons. The paintings of the participants were categorized under the following three main headings: familial issues, social pressure, and women's rights. The artwork expresses that these girls and women suffer from a wide range of familial and social issues. They share that they lack the rights, as men do, to discuss their opinions and feelings within their societies and families. Additionally, these women experience pressure from their families and society for various reasons, as mentioned hereafter.

Conclusions: This study revealed that the lack of meeting females' rights and their inability to practice their wishes and rights could be the main reason for the familial and social issues in Kurdish society. The findings suggest that the restrictions and limitations placed on women's agency and autonomy contribute significantly to the challenges and hardships faced by women within their families and communities. Addressing these issues and promoting gender equality may be essential in fostering a more inclusive and harmonious society in the Kurdistan region.