In August 2014, the world witnessed genocide. Over the course of two weeks, the Sinjar region of Iraq was invaded by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS). ISIS militants undertook a strategized campaign to ethnically cleanse Yazidis from existence.
Who are the Yazidis? Yazidis, colloquially called “the people of the Peacock Angel,” are the followers of a monotheistic religion. Although the religion of Yazidis contains elements similar to those of other faiths, such Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Islam, it maintains strikingly different interpretations and practices.
Yazidis believe that God, whom they refer to as Xwedê, handed over the worldly affairs to seven holy beings, known as Heft Sir. The Peacock Angel, or Melek Tawus, is the preeminent figure among these holy beings and is believed to be the main representative of God on the face of the Earth.
Approximately 400,000 Yazidis fled to the neighbouring Kurdistan Region of Iraq and tens of thousands took refuge on Mount Sinjar, where they faced near starvation. The rest, unable to flee, were killed or taken into captivity and subjected to horrific acts of violence – enslavement, forced labour, conscription, torture, and rape.
ISIS considered Yazidis “infidels” and ordered men to either convert or die. Women, on the other hand, were given no choice. They were taken captive, married off to the highest bidder, sexually enslaved, and forced to convert.
Sexual violence was strategically used as a weapon of war and codified in ISIS manuals that explained how to traffic Yazidi women. ISIS believed that violating women would destroy the community from within.
During Zainab's visit to the town of Lalish in November 2022, the holiest place of the followers of Yazidi faith, Zainab spoke with Yazidi men and women about the reconstruction efforts that are taking place after the fall of ISIS. With a focus on the interviews carried out with women, topics covered include the ongoing challenges Yazidi women are facing in terms of post-ISIS recovery support, their healing, and what their unmet needs are.
On this page, Zainab has featured images from her trips to the MENA region, where she engaged with local women in their journey to rebuild their lives after experiencing violence. The collection also encompasses her journalistic work with activists dedicated to assisting migrant women in their recovery from the trauma of war, PTSD, and SGBV. In addition to these visual stories, this page showcases Zainab's Women's Empowerment blogs and offers insights into past and upcoming events that focus on this vital cause.
I was a panelist for the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Influencing the Corridors of Power (ICOP) event 'Gender and the Legacy of the War in Iraq: 20 Years On' at the UK Parliament House of Lords on Wednesday 18 October 2023. The panel discussion focused on the impact of the U.S. invasion on Iraqi women, present challenges, and how to best support Iraqi women moving forward.
House of Lords, Parliament Square, London SW1A 0PW United Kingdom, Committee Room 3A & ZOOM
Event information:
It has now been 20 years since the UK invaded Iraq in the second Gulf War. In the ensuing years, Iraq has experienced poli...
House of Lords, Parliament Square, London SW1A 0PW United Kingdom, Committee Room 3A & ZOOM
Copyright © 2024 Zainab Mehdi - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder