Photo: Alison Baskerville
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Seve - Iraq

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My name is Seve

One night, sleeping in the safety of her home, Seve was woken up by her neighbour, who urged her and her family to escape. Islamic State fighters were killing men and kidnapping girls. Seve and her husband couldn't believe what was happening but they decided to run. Seve witnessed rape and her family was separated.

Our neighbour knocked at the door and asked ‘Why are you not escaping?’ She told us that they are kidnapping girls and killing men, so we decided to run away and not take anything with us.

Fortunately, Seve’s family was reunited at the Kurdistan border and they have found refuge in Khanke, a small town overlooking the Tigris river in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Seve is deeply traumatised, but since joining the programme, she has found that being with other women brings her calm. There is still a long way to go for Seve to find her peace, but she is hopeful for the future. She wants her daughters to be successful, go to university, gain qualifications and build careers.

Our programme in the KRI
Photo: Alison Baskerville

Our work in Iraq

Over the next three years, we will work with 3,000 Syrian and Yezidi women who have fled to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. With your help we will help them overcome trauma and find the resources needed to rebuild their lives.

WHEN THE WORLD’S ATTENTION MOVES ON, WILL YOU STAND WITH HER?

Support a woman survivor of war through our year-long Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme. Your solidarity will help her use her voice, realise her power and rebuild her life.