Mahabad is a 24-year-old originally from Sinjar who now lives in Shariya.
When ISIS attacked her family’s village in 2014, they had to leave their home and all they had known, seeking refuge on Sinjar mountain. “I witnessed the death of many women and children there, due to thirst and hunger,” says Mahabad.
After fleeing, they eventually settled in Shariya, but life was still very difficult. “I suffered psychologically, but we are coping with the situation and it is slowly getting better.”
Thankfully Mahabad was able to resume her studies, eventually graduating from the University of Duhok’s Department of Nursing in 2021. During the pandemic, she worked as a home visitor, and also in a pharmacy for four months.
Earlier this year, she applied to take part in our Earth Sisters project, supported by the Consulate General of Germany in Erbil. The project is raising awareness of the climate crisis in Iraq, and the ways it exacerbates gender-based violence, while also identifying ways of reducing risks. Participants have also been trained in communications, critical thinking and leadership skills.
“I wanted to take part in Earth Sisters because I wanted to learn about the connection between GBV and climate change, which was new and different for me. Being chosen as one of the 50 Earth Sisters made me happy, and I was very excited to participate in the training sessions – to gain knowledge, meet new friends and stop the process of overthinking which I had been suffering from.”
Mahabad is pleased to be helping raise awareness of the environmental crisis which is affecting Iraq, and says: “I want to play a part in changing the climate for the better, and to share these messages as much as possible.”
Over the coming weeks, she and her fellow Earth Sisters will put their training to good use by leading their own community initiatives on climate change and the ways in which people can reduce the risks. These will take place in and around Duhok, and will raise awareness of gender injustices, women’s rights, and crucially, the critical role women and girls can play in the global climate change response.
We’ll keep you posted on their progress…
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