Nadia's Initiative Beneficiary Shares Impact of Women's Small Business Incubator

Suzan, a mother of two, is eager to dismantle traditional barriers to women’s participation in Sinjar’s market economy. She wants to prove that women can contribute to the region’s economy just as men do.

She believes that passion and planning are the keys to success in any business, regardless of gender.

Suzan lived in Tel Qasab village with her beloved husband and two young children. She used to be financially reliant on her husband, who worked as a daily construction worker.

When ISIS seized Sinjar in 2014, Sozan and her family managed to flee. She lost sight of her husband in the tumult as thousands of Yazidi attempted to reach safety.

Three days later, she learned that he had been murdered by ISIS.

Suzan's life as a widow with two small children and no place to live was challenging. She fought to survive throughout her seven years of displacement, moving from camp to camp in order to provide a decent living for her children.

In 2021, she decided to return to Sinjar and find a way to support her family.

"Needless to say, our living conditions were tough. I worked in a bakery from 5:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Yet, at the end of the day, I would only earn $7. I was exhausted all the time, but I had no option. I needed the money to provide for my children.”

In the end, she made the difficult choice to leave her job at the bakery in order to be present for her children. This is when she discovered Nadia's Initiative’s women’s small business incubator and eagerly joined the program.

Throughout the program, Suzan learned about business management, financial literacy, business digitization strategies, and even received vocational training.

After successfully completing the program, she chose to open a women's clothes and accessories shop in her hometown of Tel Qasab.

The shop did so well that Suzan has been able to use her profits to open a second business venture: a beauty salon. Her entrepreneurial spirit helped her make ends meet for her children and regain her agency.

“My advice to all women is to rely on yourselves and work. We, too, can contribute to our community and provide for our families. Because I am a woman, many people were biased against me. They doubted my ability to succeed in my job. But I confronted those who opposed me and overcame all obstacles in my way. My business is thriving right now."

This project is funded by UAE Aid.