Country/region: Iraq
Conflict: Civil War
Organisation: Women Empowerment Organization (WEO)
Field of work: Help and education for refugees, establishing shelters for battered women, education, support on legal issues
Women Empowerment Organization is a non-governmental, voluntary and independent organization. Established in June 2004; Erbil, Iraq. The main goal of W.E.O. is to consolidate women’s roles and capabilities in the Iraqi community through enhancing their social, political, economic and cultural participation. W.E.O. conducts training, seminars, conferences and workshops that foster an exchange of information and experience among national, regional and international human rights movements.
WEO has also played a significant role in lobbying and advocacy efforts. Many initiatives have been led by WEO. One example is the UNSCR 1325 Initiative. WEO led an initiative to engage non-governmental and governmental organizations and members of parliament from both the KRG and the central government of Iraq in the development of a national strategy for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in Iraq.
Suzan`s interest and experience has focused on organization development, capacity building, democratic dialogue & peace building, as well as activities that strengthen disadvantaged groups – in particular women from different life perspectives – by conducting numerous projects and initiatives.
One example (project funded by Föderprogramm zivik): The project is aimed at reducing the vulnerability of Iraqi girls & women IDPs currently living in Erbil city by promoting their needs and providing them with access to justice. The project mainly attempts to educate communities in Erbil IDP camps/locations about the importance of investing in IDP girls’ education and violence prevention.