BACK TO LIFE IRAQ

Our BACK TO LIFE project in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq supports internally displaced women and girls – survivors of war, destruction, and genocide – in rebuilding independent and self-determined lives. Operating within two camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), our BACK TO LIFE Women’s Empowerment Centers have provided women of all faiths with a safe space to process traumatic experiences and develop new skills. However, with the announced closure of these camps, the original BACK TO LIFE project concluded in September 2024. Recognizing the ongoing needs of displaced communities, we have adapted our approach to continue serving local women and girls in meaningful and sustainable ways. We now offer all of our services at our BACK TO LIFE Centers in Sharya and Qadia camps, as well as a few selected services in other camps in the region and in Dohuk at the WEH Center.

The current BACK TO LIFE initiative delivers mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) through individual and group counseling sessions for survivors and other camp inhabitants. Additionally, we conduct capacity-building workshops for local civil society organizations, equipping them with the tools to enhance their MHPSS service delivery capabilities. To ensure better access to support services, we are developing a public online platform that provides comprehensive information on available MHPSS services.

To promote economic empowerment, the project offers hands-on vocational training. This includes skill-building activities such as handicrafts and gardening, led by specialist trainers. In collaboration with the University of Dohuk, the gardening component specifically focuses on climate-adaptive practices and the cultivation and processing of diverse but locally available crops, equipping female IDPs and women from local communities with the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable agriculture. Participants receive training in resilient farming techniques, enabling them to adapt to shifting climatic conditions and secure long-term livelihoods in an increasingly unpredictable environment.

Furthermore, BACK TO LIFE provides legal assistance to Yazidi survivors seeking reparations under the Yazidi Survivors Law (YSL). We support and advise survivors throughout the application process; in addition, we conduct awareness-raising activities on YSL rights and survivor entitlements, including roundtable discussions with survivors, civil society organizations, and government representatives.

By fostering psychological resilience and improving mental health outcomes for internally displaced women and girls, BACK TO LIFE enables them to regain agency and lead self-determined lives. The project contributes to a more resilient society, promoting stabilization and advancing multicultural and multiethnic reconciliation in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Additionally, through our capacity-building efforts, we are strengthening MHPSS practices among local practitioners and ensuring continued access to vital mental health services.

The images displayed were taken during the project phase up until to September 2024.