A fresh start for Naveen at the NI Women’s Center
Nadia’s Initiative (NI) is proud to share the story of Naveen, 21, a survivor and recent graduate of the salon training program implemented at our brand new, comprehensive Women’s Center in Sinjar.
The start of this project earlier this year was a profound moment for NI and for our founder, Nadia Murad, who herself aspired to work in beauty and fashion when she was a young girl in Kocho, before the August 2014 ISIS invasion of Sinjar changed her life forever.
“As a young girl in Sinjar, I loved doing my friends’ hair and makeup and hoped to be a cosmetologist when I grew up,” Nadia said. “Now, I’m honored to help empower other survivors by giving them the opportunity I always dreamed of having.”
Naveen’s Story
Like so many other survivors, Naveen was young – only 11 years old – when ISIS invaded Sinjar and took her into captivity, where she witnessed the horrors and brutality inflicted by the terror group.
When she finally escaped five years later, at age 16, a new and difficult journey awaited her.
Before 2014, Naveen’s only concerns had been her education and the friends she made at school.
But back in Sinjar after her liberation, Naveen found herself responsible for caring for the family members who, like her, had survived the genocide and were desperately trying to put back together the remaining pieces of the lives they once knew.
This year, Naveen has rediscovered hope and built important professional skills at NI’s newly opened, comprehensive Women’s Center, designed to empower women and girls across the Sinjar region.
Beginning this past summer, Naveen participated in the salon training program. Naveen and other members of the pilot cohort received training in salon management and cosmetology from more experienced beauticians and hairdressers, in addition to cash microgrants to open their own salon practices, individually or in partnership with other participants.
And while this program has provided much-needed opportunities for participants to earn their own income and achieve financial independence, it has also offered something far more important:
“I felt a sense of belonging and safety at the NI Women’s Center,” said Naveen.
“Despite all the suffering, I have learned to rely on myself. With the help of NI and Sunrise, I have overcome challenges and regained my strength.”
Naveen and her fellow graduates – over 120 in total from the inaugural cohort – have shown remarkable perseverance in their journeys. As survivors continue to visit the Women’s Center, we are committed to ensuring it offers a safe place for healing and personal growth in the aftermath of profound tragedy.
