BACK TO LIFE IRAQ
Our BACK TO LIFE project in the Kurdistan Region in Iraq supports internally displaced women, girls and families who are survivors of war, destruction and genocide to build an independent and self-determined life. In order to achieve this, we offer craft, language and computer courses, workshops on gender-based violence, psychological and trauma therapy treatment and training civil society organizations in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) awareness-raising workshops.
Our BACK TO LIFE centers in two IDP camps in the region offer women of all religious backgrounds a safe place to process traumatic experiences, learn new skills and gain work experience in the BACK TO LIFE stores.
In 2023, over 830 participants took part in the weekly courses and workshops at the two women’s centers. To adapt to the current needs of our project participants, a new project component was introduced in the form of legal advice for women who have been or are currently affected by structural or domestic violence.
SCORING GIRLS* IRAQ
With SCORING GIRLS* Iraq, we make it possible for refugee girls and young women to experience joy and ease and to process traumatic experiences in a safe space through team sports and exercise programs. Highly qualified coaches (including Iraqi professional soccer players) are part of the project and act as role models and inspiration for the girls. Accompanying the training sessions, we offer psychosocial support and trauma therapy services for the participants in group and individual sessions.
In 2023, over 270 girls have taken part in twice-weekly soccer training sessions, team sports and exercise activities. A third SCORING GIRLS* Iraq location was opened in Dohuk, complementing the two existing locations in camps for internally displaced persons.
BACK TO SCHOOL
Our BACK TO SCHOOL project provides Arabic-language schooling for children in several IDP camps in the Kurdistan Region in Iraq.
Arabic-language schools and the corresponding teachers were not funded by either the Kurdistan Region or the central government in 2023. However, for the Yazidi pupils who are returning to their homeland of Shingal to go to school or study at university, education in Arabic is essential to help them reconnect with the Arabic-speaking region.
With BACK TO SCHOOL, we paid an allowance to a total of 71 teachers in two IDP camps in the KRG in 2023 and thus secured lessons for over 4,018 pupils. Further, we enabled teachers to earn fair salaries and a secure livelihood while ensuring that children and young people in the camps can attend school.
