Shelters for Women in Iraq

Against all odds, MADRE’s partner continues to run shelters—the only refuge of their kind in Iraq—for women, girls, and LGBTQIA+ survivors of gender-based violence. Recently, MADRE’s Iraqi partner has implemented an educational program tailored for women and girls residing in their shelters. To accommodate the diverse needs of shelter residents, the education program is available in three core tracks: literacy, primary education, and intermediate and secondary education. 

By developing literary and academic skills, the program is strengthening survivors’ sense of self-worth and independence. For mothers, the impact of learning these skills has rippled through their families, as they are better equipped to break cycles of illiteracy and marginalization and thereby support their children’s education. For example, one of the shelter residents began her journey in the literacy program, barely able to write her name. Through dedication and continuous attendance, she progressed to writing short sentences and reading simple texts. Today, she proudly helps her young daughter with homework, turning what was once a painful reminder of her own interrupted education into an opportunity to bond and nurture her child’s learning.

Thank you for standing with Iraqi women and girls! Your donations make this vital work possible.

The availability of resources for Iraqi women and girl survivors of ISIS remains bleak. Most survivors still experience violence, shame, and homelessness, and are often shunned by their families and communities, with little to no access to government services. In the last two years, with your generous support, MADRE and our local partners have helped to improve the physical and emotional security of more than 140 women and girl survivors of gender-based violence and persecution. The shelters and safehouses operated by MADRE’s partners remain the only refuge of their kind in Iraq. 

When first arriving at the shelters/safehouses, survivors reported feelings of distrust, trauma, fear, and unwillingness to re-engage with their communities. Throughout their stay, all shelter/safehouse residents receive psychosocial services and participate in weekly group support sessions that combine activities like sports, music, drawing, and literacy activities based on individual interests. Through these activities, staff support and guide survivors to develop emotional and stress management skills, positive social engagement, and self-care, while helping them build their self-confidence, self-esteem, and independence to facilitate the healing process. 

Our partners’ holistic model of support––combining safe haven, medical care, trauma healing and psychosocial services, legal assistance, vocational and literacy training, and feminist education––has emboldened survivors and those at risk of violence to regain control of their futures. Our partner’s impact is illustrated by their support of a pair of twin sisters who were forcibly married to Al-Qaeda members at the age of 13. Two years following their wedding, the girls ran away to Baghdad. Since then, the girls have been victims of trafficking and prostitution, spent a year in juvenile prison, and were sent to a government homeless shelter, where they were mistreated and sexually harassed. The sisters benefited greatly from the services provided by our partner. One girl said, “We never imagined that an organization would come and rescue us from our bad situation without asking for anything in return. This organization cares about our well-being and tries to educate us. It is like a dream come true.” 

Your donations support this vital work. Thank you for standing with Iraqi women and girl survivors!