Nadia's Initiative

Program focus areas:for decades, the yazidi community in sinjar, iraq has suffered from resource deprivation, inadequate service provision, forced land removals, and underrepresentation in the region's local governance and security forces. This targeted marginalization by the iraqi state left them vulnerable to isis' attacks in 2014, which destroyed 80% of sinjar's public and private infrastructure. Nadia's Initiative is working to sustainably rebuild sinjar by laying the foundations for the community to not only survive but thrive. In line with a grassroots approach to sustainable development, the Initiative works with the local community and a variety of implementing partners to design, support, and implement projects that promote the restoration and improvement of education, healthcare, livelihoods, wash (water, sanitation, and hygiene), women's empowerment, and cultural preservation. All Nadia's Initiative programs are community-driven and survivor-centric, aiming to foster long-term peacebuilding in the region and reduce the community's reliance on foreign aid.1) health: the healthcare sector in sinjar was in a beleaguered state prior to isis' invasion, with few specialized doctors and services available to residents. Since the destruction in 2014, hospitals have had to rely heavily on support from international organizations to provide basic care. Nadia's Initiative is working to improve the region's healthcare sector by rebuilding hospitals and primary health centers, providing them with critical supplies, furniture, and medical equipment, and training specialized staff to provide survivor-centered, trauma-informed care. Improving the region's healthcare reduces the community's long-term vulnerability.2) education: access to quality education is critical to empowering marginalized communities to build better futures. Sinjar's education sector has long suffered neglect, with dilapidated school buildings and a severe lack of teachers resulting in students receiving infrequent, inadequate education in unsafe environments. Nadia's Initiative is improving education in sinjar by rebuilding and furnishing primary, middle, and secondary schools, providing students with school supplies, investing in early childhood and post-secondary education, and constructing school libraries throughout the region. Ensuring access to quality education facilitates the healing process for children who have survived conflict and protracted displacement.3) livelihoods: sinjar has historically been a farming region - 75% of its pre-2014 income was based in agriculture. Isis attempted to destroy the community's livelihoods by burning down farms, polluting boreholes, and stealing and vandalizing farming equipment, all of which threaten the region's food security. Roads and electrical networks were also destroyed during years of fighting to liberate the region. Small business owners in sinjar have struggled greatly to resume their livelihoods in the aftermath of such extensive destruction. Nadia's Initiative is restoring the region's commerce, transportation, and trade by holistically rebuilding farmlands, supporting small business owners, constructing new roads and public works, and restoring electrical networks.4) wash: access to clean water is a basic human right, yet it is a rare resource in a water scarce region like sinjar. Returnees to sinjar must grapple with destroyed and polluted water, sanitation, and hygiene (wash) infrastructure. Few can afford to purchase bottled water. Many face severe health issues resulting from consuming contaminated water. To counter this, Nadia's Initiative is rebuilding the wash infrastructure in villages, schools, clinics, and farms throughout sinjar. Reconstruction work is complemented by water management trainings and hygiene awareness sessions aimed at empowering the community to independently manage their own water sources and lead healthier lives.5) women's empowerment: women in sinjar have experienced immense trauma and suffering yet are often neglected in the region's redevelopment initiatives. Many long for opportunities to gain economic independence, provide for their families, and become active leaders in their communities. Nadia's Initiative designs survivor-centric women's empowerment programs aimed at addressing the needs of women and girls in sinjar by providing them with small business trainings and grants, rehabilitating their farmlands, rebuilding their homes, and empowering them to become advocates for change within their communities.6) culture: for centuries, yazidis have been targeted for their unique religious beliefs. Isis' destruction of yazidi sites of worship was the latest in a long line of genocidal campaigns against the community. Providing yazidis with safe spaces to worship and sites of remembrance is critical to the community's healing and social cohesion. Nadia's Initiative restores yazidi temples with input from clergy, activists, and local families charged with guardianship of the shrines. We construct cemeteries and memorials to honor those who were killed and preserve the history of the community.

Advocacynadia's Initiative advocates - at the local, national, and international levels - for resources and policy changes needed to protect and support survivors of sexual violence and rebuild communities in crisis. We collaborate with global leaders, governments, and international organizations to raise awareness and direct critical funding necessary to making positive, meaningful change.gender equality: we advocate for global gender equality, an end to violence against women, and the provision of reparations to survivors of sexual violence.justice: we advocate for judicial accountability of isis perpetrators of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide.security: we advocate national governments and the un to work collectively and comprehensively to improve security and local governance in northern iraq. Genocide prevention: we advocate for genocide awareness and prevention, including the formal recognition of the yazidi genocide by nation states and international bodies.