women's empowerment — Nadia's Initiative

Survivors Engage in Dialogue with Representatives from the GDSA

Recently, survivors gathered at the Women’s Center in Sinjar to meet with representatives from the General Directorate for Survivors’ Affairs (GDSA), offering attendees a meaningful opportunity to be heard and to share their ongoing challenges. This session, organized by the NI team, reflects key components of the Center’s mission, ensuring that survivors are informed, empowered, and supported in claiming their legal rights – in this case, those guaranteed under the Yazidi Survivors Law.

Empowering Women and Survivors, Transforming Communities: Inside the NI Women's Center

The NI Women’s Center is the first of its kind in the region – a transformative space dedicated to empowering women and girls, including survivors of genocide and conflict-related sexual violence. It’s more than just a building – it’s a safe haven where women can heal, learn, and reclaim their futures.

Because when women thrive, entire communities thrive.

Project UpdatesBrandon JacobsenMarch 12, 2025women's empowerment, Women's Center

Nadia Delivers Keynote for International Women’s Day at the French Ministry in Paris

“On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who have fought for change, often at great personal risk. Women who have broken barriers, challenged stereotypes, and paved the way for future generations. But we must also remember the women whose stories go untold—the women in rural villages, refugee camps, and war zones who fight for survival and dignity every single day.”

AdvocacyBrandon JacobsenMarch 8, 2025women's empowerment, International Women's Day

Survivors and Leaders: Honoring Yazidi Women on International Women's Day

This International Women’s Day, we honor the resilience, strength, and leadership of Yazidi women. For years, Nadia’s Initiative has worked to empower women to rebuild and reclaim their futures – and today, they are leading businesses, managing projects, and shaping their communities. Their courage in the face of adversity has not only transformed their own lives but has also inspired global action. Their determination reminds us that true progress is only possible when women have the resources and opportunities to lead.

Brandon JacobsenMarch 7, 2025women's empowerment, International Women's Day

Empowering Girls and Young Women in Sinjar Through Running

In Sinjar, girls and young women face significant barriers to leadership, physical activity, and access to safe spaces. Over the past year, Nadia’s Initiative has partnered with Free to Run to change that—empowering 300 adolescent girls and young women through running, leadership, and life skills. Using the NI Women’s Center as a key venue, the program created a safe environment for growth and connection, where participants built resilience, developed confidence, and redefined their futures.

Project UpdatesBrandon JacobsenFebruary 26, 2025women's empowerment, Women's Center

NI Hosts Consultative Session with Key Officials at the Women's Center

To support families of genocide victims and the broader community, Nadia’s Initiative (NI) organized a consultative session at the NI Women’s Center, bringing together government representatives from four key directorates responsible for victims’ affairs.

Beyond providing holistic support to women and girls in the region, the Women’s Center serves as a key venue where the community can access essential resources and gain insight into pressing issues affecting their daily lives.

Project UpdatesBrandon JacobsenFebruary 20, 2025women's empowerment

A fresh start for Naveen at the NI Women’s Center

“I felt a sense of belonging and safety at the NI Women’s Center.”

Read the story of Naveen, a survivor and recent graduate of the salon training program implemented at the new Women’s Center in Sinjar.

Nadia's Initiative Hosts Graduation for Participants in Pilot Programming at the Women's Center in Sinjar

Earlier this month, Nadia’s Initiative celebrated a significant milestone at the Women’s Center in Sinjar, hosting a graduation for the inaugural class of participants from the “Women’s Empowerment Through Education and Vocational Training” project. More than 120 women and girls successfully completed various courses at the Center, which opened earlier this year.

Project UpdatesBrandon JacobsenOctober 14, 2024women's empowerment

Economically Empowering Survivors of ISIS Captivity through Interim Reparative Measures

"Our living situation has improved greatly since receiving the interim reparations, as has my psychological state. I am now managing my business, and I feel happy when I realize that I can support my family and community through my business," Safia said.

2022 Year End Review: Women's Empowerment

Nadia’s Initiative works with women and survivors to develop survivor-centric projects that empower them to take ownership of their lives through the provision of skills training, livelihoods opportunities, financial support, education, legal aid, and mental and physical healthcare.

Ensuring Survivor-Centered Implementation of the Yazidi Survivors Law

Nadia’s Initiative is working as a bridge between survivors and the General Directorate of Survivors Affairs (GDSA) in Iraq to ensure survivor-centered implementation of the Yazidi Survivors Law.

Nadia's Initiative Launches Construction of Women's Sports Complex in Wardiya

We are excited to announce that we are launching the construction of a Women's Sports Complex in South Sinjar's Wardiya complex. This recreational complex will include sports amenities, such as a mini-stadium, playground, and volleyball court, as well as dressing rooms and a café.

Project UpdatesGuest UserNovember 21, 2022women's empowerment, Women, livelihoods, Sinjar, Ninewa, Nadia Murad, Nadia’s Initiative, Yazidis, Iraq

Nadia Murad's Remarks at the Vienna Discussion Forum

At this year’s Vienna Discussion Forum, Nadia Murad spoke about her experiences as a survivor, women's rights activist, and refugee, highlighting the need to address the root causes of gender-based violence and trafficking in migration, displacement, peacebuilding, and reconstruction.

Financial Reparations for Yazidi Survivors of ISIS Captivity

Following a year of extensive research, outreach, and development of a holistic interim reparations project for Yazidi survivors of ISIS captivity, Nadia's Initiative and the Global Survivors Fund have completed distribution of financial reparations in Sinjar.

Economically Empowering Women in Sinjar: Delal's Greenhouse

Nadia's Initiative is closing the gender gap and reducing the vulnerabilities of female farmers in Sinjar by providing them the resources and skills they need to thrive in the farming industry.

Economically Empowering Women in Sinjar: Qaison's Greenhouse

Nadia's Initiative recognizes that investing in women’s economic independence in Sinjar has far-reaching benefits for their families and the entire community. That's why we're continuously working to restore farmlands and agricultural infrastructure in Sinjar that ISIS destroyed.

Shelter Reparations for Yazidi Survivors of ISIS Captivity

Shelter support is one form of interim reparations included in Nadia’s Initiative and the Global Survivors Fund’s holistic and comprehensive survivors project that also provides interim reparations in the forms of cash, livelihoods, mental healthcare, physical healthcare, education, and legal aid.

Supporting Female Farmers in Sinjar: Sevi's Greenhouse

Through NI’s women’s empowerment project for female farmers in Sinjar, Sevi received theoretical and practical trainings on sustainable farming techniques, as well as tools, equipment, and a greenhouse that will increase the efficiency and productivity of her farm.

Supporting the General Directorate of Survivors’ Affairs in Sinjar

Many Yazidi survivors of ISIS captivity were trafficked to Mosul and other areas of Iraq, and returning to Mosul to seek reparations can reignite traumatic memories. That’s why Nadia’s Initiative and USAID prioritized opening the General Directorate of Survivors’ Affairs’ office in Sinjar.

Enhancing Women’s Role in Sinjar's Agricultural Production

Agricultural production is crucial to the Sinjar region's economy, and Yazidi women are an integral part of that output. Through our team's expert supervision, we have supported 35 female farmers and their families with essential training, tools, equipment, livestock, and supplies they need to develop sustainable farms and thrive.

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