Apr 25
We still need your support, more than ever! Donate here to help provide shelter and aid to these women!
Sex slaves of ISIS escaped - and CODEPINK and our longtime allies MADRE and Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI) stepped up!
Last fall, you generously donated to provide a shelter and much-needed aid to young Yazidi women who escaped from sexual enslavement by ISIS. It’s been a difficult process to create this resource, but today we are pleased to tell you that 30 rape survivors are now living, learning, and moving toward healing at a shelter and rape crisis center in Kurdistan, northern Iraq. In safety, these young women (most under age 20) are provided with food, housing, warm coats and other clothes, medical care, counseling, literacy lessons and job training. This center is the only one of its kind in the region!
Yanar Mohammed, an Iraqi women’s rights activist and leader of OWFI, describes their current condition: “The young women are deeply traumatized...They will need significant time and support to begin to recover and rebuild.”
Two Iraqi women, Awaz and Fairouz, provide protection, care and instruction. They have been trained by Yanar, who brings a wealth of knowledge from managing an underground shelter network in Iraq. They are deeply grateful to CODEPINK for helping to make the shelter/crisis center a reality.
This project for formerly enslaved young women reflects CODEPINK’s values: directing resources to human beings harmed by violent conflict and dehumanizing hatred, and working toward a peaceful world. As the shelter continues to provide security and services, more young women will be able to make their journeys toward wholeness and productive lives. Your caring donation is much appreciated, here and in Iraq. Thank you!
For an end to violence against women and girls -
Alice, Alli, Ariel, Chelsea, Janet, Jodie, Medea, Michaela, Nancy, Sam and Tighe
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