In 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) targeted attacks against the Yezidi population of Iraq including extensive and grave sexual violence against women and girls, including enslavement, trafficking, rape, and torture. Over 5,000 women were abducted and subjected to extreme violence. The women and girls who survived ISIS captivity and reunited with their families in the KRI face extreme poverty, displacement, and stigma, all while processing the traumatic experiences and physical consequences from their time in captivity.

To commemorate the tenth anniversary of the genocide waged by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) against Iraq’s diverse communities, SEED Foundation, Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights, and Yazda, in collaboration with the Coalition for Just Reparations (C4JR), are proud to release a new report featuring ten priority demands of survivors that remain unmet a decade after the genocide.

The Yezidi Survivors’ Law was a milestone achievement in recognizing the rights and needs of survivors of ISIS atrocities, but the success of this groundbreaking legislation depends on clear and comprehensive regulations. SEED Foundation’s recommendations are designed to secure an implementation process that centers survivors and supports their recovery.

Supporting the Reintegration and Recovery of Female Survivors of ISIS in Kurdistan, Iraq

SEED’s in-depth report recommends ways to strengthen the reintegration and recovery of female survivors of ISIS, assesses survivors’ priority needs upon return, examines key challenges in reintegration, identifies promising practices in supporting survivors in successful reintegration, advocates for government actors, community and religious leaders, NGOs, and the donor community to better support the reintegration of survivors returning from ISIS captivity.

Children are one of the most vulnerable groups affected by conflict and thousands were exposed to extreme violence in captivity. However, they also possess great resilience and, when given the chance, the potential to heal.
Addressing the needs of children who have survived the ISIS conflict and returned to their communities in the KRI or other parts of Iraq is crucial; failure to provide required services places them at heightened risk of further harm towards themselves and others.

Read More