Iraqi female police officers celebrate their graduation from the police
academy in Baghdad on January 26 2009. Some 490 female police officers
graduated following a month of training as the country readies for the
national provincial elections which will take place 31 January. The
training period for these rookies was shorter than normal due to the
upcoming elections, where they will begin their service. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty
Images)
--Michael Crowley