Gender Equality Iraq Project #21522

Yezidi Women's Services

by Free Yezidi Foundation

Project Report | Nov 10, 2023
Empowering Female Survivors: Improved Resilience

By Olivia Wells | Programs Director

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Yezidi and other minority women in Iraq face compounding vulnerabilities as a result of the violence they suffered at the hands of ISIS and the ongoing gender-based violence within their communities. In order to address these vulnerabilities and increase their self-reliance, FYF's programming is designed to holistically address the myriad of needs faced by these women to improve their physical security and long-term resilience.

FYF'S JUSTICE WORK TO HOLD ISIS PERPETRATORS ACCOUNTABLE

FYF has been working since 2019 to improve the Yezidi community’s access to justice and serve as an international leader in conducting investigations into ISIS’ crimes against Yezidis, with a focus on female survivors of sexual violence.

FYF is one of only a few internationally recognized links between prosecuting bodies and Yezidi survivors. We compile unique analyses of crime scenes and suspect dossiers, working closely with UN mechanisms and war crimes units in jurisdictions outside Iraq.

Our all-female team of lawyers and investigators integrate survivor centered practices into all aspects of survivor interactions and target both undocumented and under-documented locations of mass atrocities in Iraq. Learn more here.

EDUCATION FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

The end of August marked the completion of the summer semester of education courses in English, Arabic, Computer Skills, and Professional Development provided at FYF’s Enterprise and Training Center. As part of FYF’s project “ETC 2.0: Creating Tomorrow’s Artisans,” over 60 students attended FYF courses over the summer months. Students who attended a majority of their classes received certificates and gifts for their hard work.

The fall semester of courses is now underway, with new cohorts of students registering to attend. The courses provide the displaced community in Khanke with an opportunity to gain critical education and livelihood skills, enhancing their ability to obtain future employment.

FYF PUBLISHES REPORT ON YEZIDI SURVIVORS LAW

To mark one year since applications under the Yezidi Survivors Law (YSL) in Iraq began, FYF published a report looking back at the first year’s successes, challenges, and areas for improvement. The report reflects feedback from survivors gathered during FYF’s protection team’s extensive work to support survivors to apply for reparations under the YSL.

The report’s recommendations emphasize the need to improve accessibility for survivors, expand eligibility requirements, enhance multi-lateral communications and information sharing between government agencies, international organizations, civil society, and survivor communities, and expedite the processing of applications. Read the full report here.

FROM IMPOVERISHMENT TO EMPOWERMENT: SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS FOR VULNERABLE WOMEN

In September, FYF sat down with displaced Yezidi women who benefit from its bakery, cafe, and artisan livelihoods programming to learn more about the impact of earning an income in a safe and supportive space.

"I personally believe that Yezidi women have progressed a lot since the genocide, as many of them were previously illiterate and impoverished. Yezidi women have gone through so much adversity, yet they still have worked hard to develop themselves and support their community." - Shaima, Cafe Worker, read more.

"While I work with the yarn, I forget about my worries and difficult living conditions, as my only focus is my work. I am happy that through my skills I am able to earn an income to support my family. As a woman, I find it very inspiring and encouraging to be able to work and depend on myself because before the Yezidi Genocide women had very limited work opportunities.” - Zereen, Artisan, read more.

"I heard about FYF’s bakery training course and registered myself. Through the course, I gained new skills and saw my mental health improve because I was leaving the camp, interacting with people, and learning. I am grateful to have been given the chance to work and earn an income to support my family." - Adiba, Cafe Worker, read more.

"I was delighted to be chosen as an artisan to work on making FYF's unique Chonky Animals product line. FYF's knitting instructor provided me with all the support I needed to improve my skills. I feel proud that we as Yezidi women are making these unique products, and people all over the world are interested in them." - Khayal (name changed to protect identity), Artisan, read more.

MEET FYF'S FEMALE LEADERS

Continuing with FYF's social media series, "Meet our Female Leaders," in September we met members of our leadership, education, and livelihoods teams.

"I am genuinely excited about the impact FYF is having on the Yezidi community, particularly women. It’s inspiring to witness positive change for women in the community, especially after surviving a genocide." - Hewan Omer, Country Director, read more.

"What sets FYF apart from other NGOs is its leadership – Yezidi women who intimately understand the unique needs of survivors. Working alongside all these inspirational women makes for a rewarding and comfortable work environment." - Cecilia Pedersen, Programs and Development Officer, read more.

"I believe FYF has made a significant impact by empowering Yezidi women and the community as a whole. When women are united, they can overcome all obstacles and build a better future." - Shayma Ali, Bakery Supervisor, read more.

"FYF empowers women to use their voices to create a better future where they are not reliant or dependent on others.” - Berivan Hasso Sefo, English Teacher, read more.

Meet more of our incredible female leaders here.

Thank you, as always, for your steadfast support of FYF and the Yezidi community.

Sincerely,

Pari Ibrahim
Executive Director
Free Yezidi Foundation

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Sep 26, 2023
For Survivors, With Survivors

By Olivia Wells | Programs Director

Dear Friends and Supporters,

August was a month of recognition, reflection, and proactive action to end the ongoing genocide against the Yezidi community. In addition to hosting several events to commemorate the 9th anniversary of the Yezidi Genocide and launching a call for financial investments to rebuild Sinjar, FYF sat down with staff and beneficiaries to learn more about the impact of their work and FYF's programming on their mental wellbeing.

HISTORIC YEZIDI-LED COMMEMORATION EVENT

On August 1st, FYF co-led a historic event in Baghdad commemorating the 9th anniversary of the Yezidi Genocide, which brought together 27 Yezidi-led NGOs and CSOs. The event was attended by Iraqi, UN, and Embassy officials, as well as international experts. The event opened with a minute of silence in honor of the victims of the genocide and those who remain missing. This was followed by keynote speeches from various officials and prominent community leaders.

Two panel discussions were held during the event: one focused on the multifaceted challenges facing the Yezidi community and the other on the importance of international stakeholders and allies. An art exhibition of Yezidi artists was also displayed at the event. Learn more here.

UK FORMALLY RECOGNIZES THE YEZIDI GENOCIDE

On August 1st, the UK government formally recognized that acts of genocide were committed against the Yezidi community by ISIS in 2014. The determination was made following the judgment of the German Federal Court of Justice earlier this year, where it found a former ISIS fighter guilty of acts of genocide and crimes against humanity committed against Yezidis in Iraq.

Formal recognition of the genocide is a crucial component of justice, accountability, and commitment to empowering the Yezidi community to rebuild. FYF commends the UK government for this critical step in the right direction and hopes that national convictions of ISIS foreign nationals and investments in the community’s rebuilding will follow.

REDUCING THE STRESS OF GENOCIDE SURVIVORS THROUGH INCOME GENERATION ACTIVITIES

In August, FYF sat down with displaced Yezidi women who benefit from its bakery, cafe, and artisan livelihoods programming to learn more about the impact of earning an income in a safe and supportive space.

"Through my work at FYF’s Sugar is Sweet bakery and cafe, I feel supported by the staff and my mental wellbeing is now good. I am also attending FYF’s Arabic classes to improve my skills, develop my capacities, and support my children with their studies.” - Adiba, Cafe Worker, read more.

"My work as an artisan helps me overcome all the overthinking and anxieties I feel as a result of the genocide. Thanks to FYF, I am able to use my crafts skills to make unique items and sell them to earn an income." - Nado, Artisan, read more.

"My job provides me with the ability to earn a living for my family. I also joined FYF’s educational courses to enhance my knowledge and be able to read and write." - Eman, Bakery Worker, read more.

“After all of the trauma we have experienced due to the genocide, our life in the camp has been difficult because our mental health isn’t good. We keep overthinking and worrying about our lives and those we’ve lost or who are missing. After becoming a beneficiary at FYF’s Enterprise and Training Center (ETC), I have found a way to stop overthinking by using my skills to hand make stuffed animals." - Hala (name changed to protect identity), Artisan, read more.

MEET FYF'S FEMALE LEADERS

Continuing with FYF's social media series, "Meet our Female Leaders," in August we met members of our protection, justice, and livelihoods teams.

"I am very passionate about my work because we, as FYF, provide Yezidi and other minority women with holistic support and opportunities to improve their income generation capacities, enhance their chances for future employment, build support networks, and find their inner strength." - Khalidah, Livelihoods Manager, read more.

“I joined the Free Yezidi Foundation because it supports women and encourages them to work in a society that continues to discriminate against women in all spheres/fields." - Sonia, Legal Protection Officer, read more.

"Being a part of a women-led organization empowers me to push boundaries and advocate for gender equality. My work is fuelled by the resilience and strength of survivors, as I strive to create a world free from violence and discrimination.” - Maysa, Protection Officer, read more.

"As a female and a Yezidi in Iraq, we have very limited access to job opportunities due to discrimination against our community and our gender. At FYF, I was given a chance to lead their investigation work. FYF provided me with intense training and support over the past four years to empower me to improve myself personally and professionally." - Waheeda, Justice Manager, read more.

Meet more of our incredible female leaders here.

Thank you all, as always, for your steadfast support of FYF and the Yezidi community.

Sincerely,

Pari Ibrahim
Executive Director
Free Yezidi Foundation

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Aug 22, 2023
No More Words Without Action: 1% of $153 Billion

By Olivia Wells | Programs Director

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Iraq’s spending budget in 2023 is $153 billion. August 3, 2023 marks nine years since the Yezidi Genocide. Hundreds of thousands of Yezidis remain homeless and impoverished in a middle income country with vast natural resources and wealth.

We call on Federal Iraq to invest $1.5 billion in Sinjar by the 10th anniversary of the genocide. Less than 1% of Iraq’s spending budget can facilitate the recovery of the Yezidi community.

It's time to end the genocide against the Yezidis and invest in their sustainable recovery.

JOINT STATEMENT BY YEZIDI LED NGOS

FYF led a group of Yezidi civil society organizations, community leaders, and intellectuals to draft a joint statement calling for the special allocation of a $1.5 billion dedicated fund, directly administered by the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq, for the reconstruction of public infrastructure and private housing and property in the District of Sinjar.

Iraq’s Parliament recently approved a three-year working budget of $459 billion, with an annual budget of $153 billion, the highest ever passed in the country’s history. The Parliament only allocated $38 million for Sinjar and Nineveh Plain reconstruction in this budget. A realistic fund to reconstruct Sinjar has been proposed by national and international actors to revitalize the region, bring economic development, and help tens of thousands of Yezidis rebuild their properties. A motion was accepted by the Prime Minister’s Office in the past, with a budget of nearly 500 billion Iraqi Dinars allocated in principle. But the budget was filibustered by some political parties and cut down to 10% of its original allocation. The budget was then allocated not only for Sinjar but also for Zummar and Nineveh plains. Sinjar and other areas inhabited mostly by minorities have received disproportionately low funding over the past nine years, and Yezidi communities are outraged by the inequality of this budget allocation, considering the severe level of destruction in Sinjar and other areas.

Iraq’s annual working budget of more than $153 billion is large enough to allocate 1% of one year’s budget to the actual reconstruction of Sinjar, rather than symbolic projects that will never be effective in rebuilding the district, its infrastructure, housing, and private property, and ultimately will never be sufficient to help IDPs return home. Failure to rebuild Sinjar will likely result in increased security concerns and could force more Yezidis to migrate or face secondary displacement. FYF therefore calls upon the Parliament to allocate 1% of the 2023 budget – $1.5 billion – to a specialized fund for the reconstruction of Sinjar.

COMMEMORATION EVENTS FOR 9TH ANNIVERSARY OF YEZIDI GENOCIDE

FYF and 26 leading Yezidi civil society organizations are cohosting a conference to commemorate the 9th anniversary of the Yezidi Genocide on August 1st at 11:00 am at Gilgamesh Hall, Babylon Hotel, Baghdad, Iraq.

The conference will include the participation of Iraqi officials, UNAMI, UNITAD, and other United Nations agency representatives, foreign diplomats, Yezidi survivors, religious and community leaders, representatives of international and Iraqi civil society, and leaders from across the political spectrum. Together, participants will remember the victims, discuss the impact, and advocate for justice, solidarity, and rebuilding of the Yezidi homeland.

On August 3rd, FYF will host a private event at its Enterprise and Training Center in Khanke, Duhok, Iraq with staff, survivors, and government officials. The event will focus on amplifying the voices of Yezidi survivors and activists in a safe, off-the-record space.

HONORING VICTIMS BY AMPLIFYING THE VOICES OF SURVIVORS

"$153 billion and my village is still destroyed."

"$153 billion and I still live in a tent."

"$153 billion and I cannot go home."

To commemorate this year's 9th anniversary, FYF is turning the spotlight on Yezidis, amplifying their voices as they reflect on their lives 9 years after the Yezidi Genocide, highlighting the stark contrast between Federal Iraq's annual budget and the ongoing precarious living conditions of displaced and returnee Yezidis.

No more words without action - we call on the Iraqi government to allocate 1% of its annual budget to reconstruct Sinjar.

Thank you all, as always, for your steadfast support of FYF and the Yezidi community.

Sincerely,

Pari Ibrahim
Executive Director
Free Yezidi Foundation

Links:

August 3rd Video

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