UK GOVERNMENT
Working with the UK government to Support Women Survivors of War
Supporting women-led civil society and women's rights organisations across Iraq
Women for Women International is proud to have won competitive and transformational funding from the UK Integrated Security Fund (UKISF), from the UK government.
The UK government is providing £5 million to support women-led civil society and women's rights organisations across Iraq. This is part of a UK commitment to embolden and amplify the work and voices of diverse grassroots women’s organisations and movements, championing their role as important agents for change.
This multi-year funding will financially support more than 70 grassroots, women-led Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Women’s Rights Organisations (WROs) across 19 governorates in federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq – led by Women for Women International with expertise from our technical partner Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS).
This funding will be a vital lifeline for women’s organisations working to drive forward a localised, inclusive Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in Iraq. Using a highly participatory, adaptive and customised approach, this project will support an independent and strong civil society across Iraq, empowering and strategically connecting the WROs and CSOs to implement self-defined locally driven WPS priorities. This includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: climate resilience, gender-based violence, women's participation and economic empowerment, and further progress against the Iraqi National Action Plan on WPS.
This will significantly support efforts to advance women's rights, promote meaningful participation in decision-making processes at local and national levels, paving the way for a sustainable and inclusive peace. Learnings and best practices from this initiative will be shared with the international community.
I am delighted that the UK Government is providing this significant funding to Women for Women International to ensure that the Women, Peace and Security agenda is localised and meets the specific needs, priorities and concerns of women in their contexts in Iraq.
She continued:
"The British Embassy Baghdad is proud to support and champion the work of women-led and women’s rights organisations who are building sustainable peace and security across Iraq."
This transformative funding comes after decades of conflict in Iraq and the Yazidi genocide. Iraq remains unstable due to ongoing political tension, violence, and a weakened economy exacerbated by ISIS's rise. From 2014-2017, ISIS controlled parts of Iraq, targeting ethnic and religious minorities with abductions and violence, including sexual violence Iraq, also bordered by war-torn Syria, faces a severe displacement and refugees’ crisis.
Alongside internally displaced Iraqis, the country hosts Syrian refugees, with women making up the majority of the 1.2 million displaced persons in Iraq, all struggling to rebuild their lives amid the turmoil.
The role of CSOs and WROs is crucial in providing essential services and support to these vulnerable populations and promoting their roles in their communities as peace builders, decision-makers, and agents of progressive change.
I am deeply grateful to the UK for their generous funding to Women for Women International - Iraq Office, which is instrumental in empowering women rights Civil Society Organisations, amplifying women's voices, participation in decision-making and driving meaningful change.
About this project
This project is funded with UK aid from the UK government.
Learn more about our work in Iraq
Our Work in Iraq
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We are working with women in Iraq to help them overcome severe emotional trauma, teach them about their rights, acquire new business and vocational skills, and form networks for support and advocacy.
Saleha
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"This is the first time I have the confidence to share my story."
After surviving conflict and tremendous loss, Saleha is finding ways to rebuild her life and care for her eight children. Read Saleha's story, shared in her own words.
Faizah
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Faizah has always been brave – even aged 13, when her uncles tried to force her into marriage. So, when ISIS attacked her community and warned her not to flee, she harnessed that defiance and dared to find safety. Faizah dreams of a world without war; of peace for her children. Here is her story.