A Celebration of Women™

is elated to Celebrate the Life of this powerful woman leader that is devoting her life to the empowerment of women through a mission of creating awareness against the actions of Human Trafficking.

Women empowerment is a global phenomenon that is reaching all areas of life and our world today. This amazing woman leader has risen above one of our world’s darkest experiences of terrorism and today is a world leader, Nobel Prize nominee and is working to change our world for the better for all women affected by sex slavery of any kind.

“I don’t have much information about politics, but there are things I want from all the world and all governments, and from all humans who will hear my voice,” said the Nobel Peace Prize nominee. “Take a stand for conscience and humanity, to cut off these things happening to us today, so it will not happen to other children, women and girls … and eradicate this terrorism from the World.”

 
 

WOMAN of ACTION™

 
 

 
 

Nadia Murad

 

Nadia Murad was born and raised in the quiet agricultural village of Kocho, Iraq – Christians and Muslims lived harmoniously as neighbors. A member of the Yazidi community, she and her family – comprised of many brothers and sisters – lived a peaceful, happy life. Nadia was in secondary school and had dreams of becoming a history teacher and a make-up artist.

Nadia’s peaceful existence ended on August 3, 2014, when the so-called Islamic State – ISIS – attacked her village, beginning its savage genocidal campaign against the Yazidi people. Six of Nadia’s nine brothers were executed on the spot. Nadia, along with her two sisters and thousands of other men, women and children were taken captive, subjected to unspeakable crimes. The captives were given a choice – convert to Islam or be executed. A third choice was provided to the young girls and women – sexual enslavement. Nadia was only 19 years old. Her and her two sisters were enslaved – their mother was executed as she was “too old” to be enslaved.

Nadia was initially held hostage in a building with thousands of families. She witnessed young children given to ISIS soldiers as “sexual” gifts. The first man that approached Nadia to take her, was significantly older and large in size, Nadia called out she was too young and was beaten. Nadia was raped and tortured on a daily basis and when she was caught trying to escape she was severely beaten.

After facing an unimaginable brutality, Nadia was able to escaped.

Nadia immigrated to Germany where she received medical attention and reunited with other survivors. In total, Nadia lost 18 family members. The majority has been killed but some might still be alive being held captive. With the assistance of Yazda, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Yazidi survivors and defend rights of marganized ethnical and religious minorities, Nadia has been able to tell her story on the world stage, forcing world leaders to listen to the horrors of the on-going genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Nadia is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

 
 

 
NADIA’S MESSAGE

Being a survivor of genocide comes with great responsibility –for I am the lucky one. Having lost my brothers, mother and many more family members and friends it is a responsibility I embrace fully and take very seriously. My role as an activist is not just about my suffering — it is about a collective suffering. Telling my story and reliving the horrors I encountered is no easy task, but the world must know. The world must feel a moral responsibility to act and if my story can influence world leaders to act then it must be told.

After the Holocaust, the world decried, “never again” but yet Genocide occurs with haunting frequency. What’s puzzling to me is that it occurs in full view of the world community. When ISIS trapped the Yazidi community on Sinjar Mountains, the world watched and world leaders chose not to act. In fact, we still find ourselves begging the United Nations to act – to stop ISIS – to hold ISIS accountable for all the horrific crimes committed. A fundamental goal for me is to fight impunity for crimes committed against all margined communities devastated by global terrorism.

I am committed to leading a campaign to prompt peace through de-radicalization. I will focus my power to deliver a message to the Muslim world to condemn extremism, particularly against children and women, carried out in the name of Islam. We must work together to counter terrorism and deter the youth from joining or supporting radical groups and united to teach all youth the importance of tolerance towards the beliefs of others.

Recent terrorism brought sufferings beyond our any understanding, and women and children have become the population mostly affected, notable, human trafficking and mass enslavement have become a tool used by terrorists to humiliate societies and humanity at large, I am committed to fight human trafficking and mass enslavement.

We cannot depend solely on the actions of the United Nations and world leaders. Individuals can contribute to the fight as well. If we all do our small part, in every corner of the world, I believe we can end genocide and mass atrocities against women and children. If we have the courage to stand up and fight for those we don’t know – who live thousands of miles away – we can make a difference. The world is one community and we need to act as such.

I ask you as a survivor and a friend, to join my Initiative and help all victims in the conflict zones, especially those targeted for their identify . ISIS must be stopped. Please contribute to this important cause, for we all humans that deserve to live peacefully.

With much gratitude,

 
 
 

A Celebration of Women™

welcomes this powerhouse into our global alumni with open arms, looking forward to future collaborations, bettering the lives of all women and children, focusing on the freedom and empowerment of all women.

 

 

Brava Nadia!