“When survivors seek justice, they look for someone to give them
hope that justice is possible.”
“Mother and Justice” – A Mobile Memorial
Honoring the Resilience of Survivors Worldwide & Mobilizing for Justice and Accountability
The purpose of this memorial is to raise awareness about
the plight of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence,
and to serve as a catalyst for justice and accountability.
Background
In 2024, the 10th anniversary of the Yazidi Genocide, Nadia Murad and Nadia’s Initiative launched a powerful mobile memorial dedicated to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence worldwide. This life-sized sculpture, titled “Mother & Justice,” portrays a mother and her children bound with the scales of justice, symbolizing resilience and the pursuit of accountability. Inspired by the first Yazidi survivor to secure justice against an ISIS perpetrator, this memorial stands as a global tribute to survivors everywhere, urging the world not only to recognize their suffering but to act in pursuit of justice. Through this memorial, Nadia’s Initiative amplifies the voices of survivors and champions a future where their courage fuels accountability and lasting change.
While the experience of Yazidi survivors under ISIS is a horrific example of conflict-related sexual violence, it is tragically not a unique occurrence. The practice spans continents and decades, affecting communities in the Balkans, Rwanda, and more recently in Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ukraine. The widespread and systematic nature of these crimes in different contexts highlights a bleak reality: the use of sexual violence in conflict is a global issue, transcending cultural, religious, and regional boundaries. It takes global and collective action to stop it.
Timeline: Convictions of ISIS Members
“This verdict is a win for survivors of genocide, survivors of sexual violence, and
the entire Yazidi community. Thank you to Germany for today’s historic conviction.
Germany is not only raising awareness about the need for justice but is acting on
it. Their use of universal jurisdiction in this case can and should be replicated by
governments around the world.”
The Inauguration of the Mother & Justice Mobile Memorial
The memorial was unveiled at an event in Stuttgart, Germany on July 3, 2024, where Nadia Murad was joined by survivors, Mr. Winfried Kretschmann, Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg, and Ms. Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. To learn more about the event, click here.
Design and Significance
The memorial is a life-size bronze sculpture of a mother and her children bound with the scales of justice. The woman featured in the sculpture is a Yazidi survivor who won a trial against ISIS in Germany. This was the first trial, and the first conviction, of an ISIS member for genocide anywhere in the world. Her children, who also feature prominently, were killed by ISIS during the genocide.
The bravery of this survivor stands as a testament to justice and accountability, and the verdict provides a model for how governments can and should respond to instances of conflict-related sexual violence. The sculpture is dedicated to the woman and all survivors, and serves as both a symbol and tool for justice and accountability.
Beyond serving as a catalyst for justice and accountability, the memorial can also be thought of as a form of collective reparations. Such reparations are focused on delivering a benefit to groups (e.g. survivors) who have suffered from crimes (e.g. conflict-related sexual violence) and violations of their rights and are meant to address the common shared impact of such violations. Memorialization of this kind is a key component in bringing about justice and healing for survivors.
The memorial was created by Rebecca Hawkins, an accomplished sculptor, with input from Nadia Murad.
