Women in Foreign Policy: A spotlight on our new Peace Sister Amsha
The Lotus Flower’s innovative Peace Sisters project recently caught the eye of Women in Foreign Policy – a leading global platform than champions young female changemakers and brings relatable role models to the fore.
Women in Foreign Policy’s mission is for women all over the world to have a seat at the table and a real future in decision-making processes, and the team accordingly chose to feature one of our new Peace Sisters in its recent newsletter.
In the well-received article, the spotlight was turned on Amsha, a 21-year ISIS survivor who fled her home with her family during the 2014 conflict – and then experienced even more trauma when her sister went into labour on Mount Sinjar. The family eventually reached safety across the Syrian border, from where they travelled to Essyan camp for IDPs in Kurdistan.
It was here that Amsha got involved with the Lotus Flower, and she is now one of our first trained Peace Sisters. In this pioneering project – in conjunction with the German Consulate in Erbil – 50 young women have been taking part in training in mediation and conflict resolution, as well as skills in critical thinking, teamwork and communications.
As one of the first known initiatives that focuses on women becoming mediators, defenders and community leaders in this way, the project activities are designed to encourage inclusion, collaboration and dialogue across multiple faiths, cultures and generations. Crucially, the scheme also involves men and boys’ participation, which we believe is needed if we are to achieve greater gender equality and positive change.
Speaking of her involvement in Peace Sisters, Amsha says: “This project has shown me how important it is to resolve conflict between communities – especially as a woman. We are all humans, and the majority of people are innocent of the violent acts committed against their community. I’m so pleased to support the process of peacebuilding and to have an impact on other communities, so that we can all coexist and live in harmony.”
Read the Women in Foreign Policy newsletter all about Amsha here.