Meet the first of our new Peace Sisters
The Lotus Flower’s latest project is going from strength to strength – with our first group of women and girls becoming fully-fledged Peace Sisters.
In partnership with the German Consulate in Erbil, 25 women and girls received training by our five qualified volunteers in Duhok city.
One of the training sessions in Duhok
The training included learnings around peacebuilding, mediation and conflict resolution, and also featured a session on the UN’s Resolution 1325 – which promotes the participation of women and incorporation of gender perspectives in all UN peace and security efforts. It also calls on all parties in conflict to take measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence and sexual abuse.
Iman is looking forward to putting her skills to good use
One of our proud new Peace Sisters is 20-year-old Iman, a Yazidi IDP, who says: “The Lotus Flower training was a great opportunity, and I’m very happy to be called a Peace Sister now. When we first ran from Sinjar and were displaced in Sulimaniyah, we encountered conflict with other communities – especially at school. I always tried to play the role of mediator in such situations, but this training has made me more skillful and taught me professional lessons to further understand mediation, its theories, practices and most importantly, the essential role that women and girls can play.”
Zaynub is also delighted to be a Peace Sister
Another of the Peace Sisters is Zaynub, 22, from Duhok. After the training she said: “It has given me a very good insight into mediation and I now know how to apply it in my daily life. Being skilled in mediation between two conflicting parties is something I didn’t have before, and I believe it will be a huge benefit in my life.”
The training also included an appearance from Kathrin Jaschke, who works for the German Consulate in Erbil and is responsible for politics, humanitarian affairs and human rights. She told the participants: “Germany and the Consulate General are very happy and proud to support the Peace Sisters project. The main goals of the project are that you as Peace Sisters will become key drivers of peace building negotiations, rebuild your communities and lead mediation within the community. You will take on leadership roles and practice critical thinking, teamwork, communications and public speaking.”
Kathrin Jaschke from the German Consulate in Erbil showed her support for the new Sisters
She added: “IDP and refugee camps are not a long-term solution to the humanitarian crisis caused by violent conflict. Therefore, it is necessary to begin the conflict resolution and reconciliation process between ethnic and religious groups. The Lotus Flower’s project and you as Peace Sisters play a very important role in this work, so that people can trust their neighbours again.”
Certificates were received by the women
Honouring the new Peace Sisters
More than 50 women and girls in the region will take part in the project, empowering them to recognise their human rights and be more involved with leadership roles in the future.