Photo: Alison Baskerville

OUR WORK IN IRAQ

We are working with women in Iraq to help them overcome severe emotional trauma, teach them about their rights, acquire new business and vocational skills, and form networks for support and advocacy.

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Country Profile - Iraq

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In response to the ongoing crisis in the region, in 2015 Women for Women International started working with local organisations in Iraq to support Syrian refugee and Yezidi women who have been forced to flee their homes as a result of war and conflict.

In 2017 we opened a Women for Women International office and enrolled the first 300 women to begin our year-long social and economic empowerment training programme.

About women in Iraq

1 in 4

Syrian refugee families is headed by a woman

180,000

Displaced Yezidis are in camps in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

82%

Syrian refugee women are living in daily fear of abuse or aggression
Seve and her family. Photo: Alison Baskerville
Photo: Alison Baskerville

Responding to a global crisis

Displaced for months or years, women face challenges that threaten their basic security, economic well-being, and survival. They are targets of sexual harassment and gender-based violence in their families, camps, and host communities. They struggle to earn money to support their families. Many say they are hungry. The realities and experiences of displaced women are made more difficult by living in exile from all that is familiar to them. While they are still processing the trauma they have experienced, they are ready to begin the journey of rebuilding their lives.

Photo: Alison Baskerville

Seve's story

"Our neighbour knocked at the door and told us that they are kidnapping girls and killing men, so we decided to run away and not take anything with us."

Photo: Alison Baskerville

Our impact

Our programme provides women with vital skills, knowledge and resources to create sustainable change in the four key areas of health and well-being, livelihoods and saving, rights and decision-making, and support networks.

Support our work

With your help, we can better support marginalised women transform their lives and reach their full potential.

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