Houzan Mahmoud of the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq talks about the new report which documents the systematic use of violence committed by Islamist militias against Iraqi women. Methods of violence include widespread honor killings, torture, assassination and rape.

“Promising Democracy, Imposing Theocracy: Gender-Based Violence and the US War on Iraq." That's the title of the ground breaking report being released today at the UN.

The announcement follows on the heels of two high-profile cases of Sunni women allegedly raped by Shiite security forces last month.

The report documents the systematic use of violence committed by Islamist militias against Iraqi women. Methods of violence include widespread honor killings, torture, assassination and rape. The report reveals the most extensive violence against women has been committed by Shiite militias armed, trained, and financed by the United States.

The author of the report is Yifat Susskind who is here in the studio with me. Also joining us is Houzan Mahmoud. She is the International Representative of the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq. Welcome to Democracy Now!

• Houzan Mahmoud, International Representative, Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq. She is speaking about gender-based violence in Iraq before the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN today.
• Yifat Susskind, communications director of MADRE. She is speaking about gender-based violence in Iraq before the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN today.