FYF speaks in British Parliament and signs partnership with Women for Women International – UK

Baroness Hodgson chairs APPG on Women, Peace and Security event in Parliament to discuss plight of Yezidis. The panel included Baroness Anelay, Prime Minister’s Representative on Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflict; Brita Fernandez Schmidt, Executive Director of Women for Women International – UK; and Pari Ibrahim and Zazi Ibrahim of the Free Yezidi Foundation.

Dear Friends,

Over the last months, the Free Yezidi Foundation has continued to conduct international advocacy for justice and for the rights of Yezidis. At the same time, much of our effort has been dedicated to the well-being of Yezidi survivors through our programmes on the ground in Duhok.

In the last months, FYF has participated in a number of events and seminars to discuss the plight of the Yezidis, including in Holland, the United Kingdom, and Spain. We are particularly grateful to Baroness Hodgson and the British All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women, Peace and Security for supporting us. FYF has also spent time with Yezidi victims recovering from the attacks in Germany, and we have undertaken efforts to expand and further develop the scope of our operational presence in Duhok.

FYF is delighted to announce a new partnership with Women for Women International – UK. Our Foundation attaches enormous importance to this new partnership. As an established and highly respected organisation, Women for Women will provide expertise, guidance, funding, and support to our Foundation as we implement our projects for Yezidi survivors. We are so pleased by the incredible level of professionalism, compassion, and understanding that we have seen from our friends at Women for Women, and we are confident that this will be a strong and lasting partnership.

FYF and women for women in UK

Free Yezidi Foundation and Women for Women International – UK in London

Women for Women International – UK will be supporting one FYF women’s centre, which focuses on all Yezidi women, integrating those who have escaped from ISIS captivity with other women in the camp. Activities include trauma-reducing activities such as art courses, gardening, and music lessons, but also livelihood skills and basic education in the form of computer courses, English language courses, and business skills lessons.

FYF remains committed to the success of its children’s centre, which also requires funding and support from the international community and motivated donors. Separately, FYF seeks the pursuit of justice for Yezidi victims, including potential future projects to bring perpetrators to justice through international or domestic legal mechanisms.

I would like to thank our Foundation’s supporters and friends, and I hope all Yezidi-led organisations working in favour of our survivors continue to achieve success and pursue cooperation for our shared goals as we rebuild the community.

Sincerely,

– Pari Ibrahim

Executive Director
Free Yezidi Foundation

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FYF works to support the most vulnerable members of the Yezidi community by providing them with education, economic empowerment, post-trauma treatment, and access to justice. If you want your donations to have a real impact on the lives of women and children affected by conflict, please consider giving to FYF today.