Women Empowered to Heal and Rebuild: Rajha's Story of Resilience

When women are empowered, they improve the socio-economic stability of their communities for generations to come.

Rajha Hussein Ali is an example of how empowered women significantly contribute to the socio-economic restoration of conflict-affected regions like Sinjar.

Before the 2014 genocide, Rajha had a stable life running a small convenience shop and caring for her three children, while her husband worked as a police officer in the region.

During ISIS’ invasion in Sinjar, she lost her husband, her business, and her home. She managed to flee to the mountains, but was unable to escape the horrors of what she and her children had been through.

"We fled to the Kurdistan Region and spent six years in Sheikhan camp. However, the living conditions in the camp were unbearable, especially for my children," says Rajha.

Rajha chose to return to Sinjar, only to be faced with a destroyed home and no financial opportunities to support her children. That’s when Rajha learned about Nadia’s Initiative’s women’s small business incubator.

The incubator aims to empower women like Rajha by offering them the resources and tools they need to create long-term financial security for themselves and their families. Rajha received a series of business management and vocational training, as well as grants, to help her relaunch her convenience shop.

"My living conditions have improved, and I encourage all women to rely on themselves. We can support our children alone without asking for help from anyone."

Empowering women in conflict-affected regions with economic opportunities improves their wellbeing, as well as their families and communities.

“There is no other place in the world that I would rather call home than Sinjar. This is our birthplace. We must all work together to live in and rebuild our homeland.“