One of our projects saw young women get the chance to learn journalism skills in an exciting collaboration with the non-profit DAK. The project was funded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and brought together a diverse group of 15 girls from Muslim, Yezidi, and Christian communities to develop media awareness and practices.
The girls had been living in fiercely divided communities since the ISIS invasion in 2014, and were initially wary of mixing. But our programme, called Fostering Social Cohesion and Peacebuilding through Female-Led Journalism, tackled this destructive narrative, championing the idea of community integration.
During the project, the girls worked together to produce a magazine called Afrandin (meaning Creation), which they wrote, edited and designed. At the beginning, some of the Yezidi and Muslim girls would not even sit together, but by the end, they were working in harmony and building friendships. One of the girls was later hired at a Yezidi publication.
Not only did the girls learn vital communication skills to express themselves through magazines, newspapers, radio, and social media, but they also learned how media can bring about social unity rather than destruction. As fundamental drivers of change, they also recognised how their role in peacebuilding benefits their families, communities and ultimately their whole country.
We also incorporate many of the activities from the Journalism project into our Peace Sisters programme, which includes soft skills training in communications for women and girls.
CASE STUDY
One of the girls, Kheria, said of the Journalism project: “The training was very good. I learnt a lot about social cohesion. The most amazing part was the activities that will make us never forget the information.” Another participant, Jomana, added: “Women have to give priority to education, it’s the most important thing in life.”