Program for Women and Girls

Many women in northern Iraq have become victims of gender-specific human rights abuses, especially when they were politically active, or in their capacity as wives, mothers or sisters of enemies of the former regime. Sexual violence against women was a multi-layered method of warfare specifically designed to destroy family structures, to humiliate political dissidents, and to disrupt the cultural cohesion of ethnic groups.

In the course of the Anfal campaign, many women lost their relatives due to executions, military operations and during their attempts to escape genocide. Through the death of their male relatives, women were frequently driven into isolation and loneliness; at the same time, they had to endure enormous economic hardships while struggling to feed the remaining family members.

Furthermore, young women in northern Iraq continue to face numerous forms of domestic oppression, including forced marriage, domestic violence and abuse, as well as extremely limited access to educational opportunities.

Departments for Women

In order to address the severe and long-lasting consequences of gender-specific violence, five departments for women in Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, Chamchamal and Duhok, entirely staffed by female therapists, offer specialist help to women and girls. These departments aim to

protect women and their children from domestic violence
raise women's awareness of their fundamental rights and the rights of their children
increase women’s access to systems of welfare, legal protection, education, labor and health
provide a secure setting where traumatized women can engage in group dialogue
empower traumatized women to become agents of change in a post-repressive society
strengthen non-violent conflict resolution within families and across generations.

Each year, the Kirkuk Center helps around 1000 female victims of violence. Women and girls receive gender-specific medical and psychosocial assistance, they join regular self-help and discussion groups and take part in educational seminars. If applicable, they are referred to evening schools and vocational training, women's shelters, or medical specialists.

Family therapy and mediation sessions help to develop non-violent communication strategies, reconcile couples and stabilize traumatized families.

Supporting women who have become victims of violence has important secondary effects on family members. When women become aware of their fundamental rights, they can protect themselves and their children from domestic violence frequently produced by collective trauma. Moreover, they will share positive experiences of peaceful conflict resolution with their male relatives and thereby promote democratic attitudes.

Further Information

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Additional Information

Didar, 27 years old, victim of domestic violence

Didar visited our center in Erbil through the initiative of one of her relatives. She complained about nightmares, continuous headaches especially at night and a severe depressive mood. During the first sessions, Didar was very irritable, cried a lot and claimed to hate everyone. She admitted that several times her mother had to prevent her from committing suicide.

End Violence Against Women in Iraq

»Violence against women and girls is a violation of human rights, causing physical, sexual and psychological suffering. Violence against women limits their ability to realise their legal, social, political and economic rights and participate in Iraq's development.«
– United Nations, 2010

Protecting Women's Rights

In 2011, we joined forces with WADI, the Women's Legal Assistance Center and PANA in order to combat violence against women and female genital mutilation (FGM) in Northern Iraq.

Testimonial

"I came to the women`s group of the center because I heard so many good things about it. You know, we have always been told that Kurds cannot be trusted. But here, everybody is equal and all of us have the same problems. If all the people of Kirkuk came to understand each other like we do in this group, we could finally live in peace."

Songül, Turkman woman, from Kirkuk