For many women in Tal Afar, Iraq, daily life is shaped by silent struggles — poverty, violence, and social isolation. But for three courageous women, a turning point came when they crossed paths with Women Rehabilitation Organization (WRO), supported by DCA.
Their stories echo the silent but powerful resilience that is found in many communities across the region.
In this news, we refer to the women using initials of their names to protect their identities while honoring their voices and experiences.
“I regained self-confidence.”
S.S., 28, had spent years in isolation after separating from her husband. She gave up all legal rights just to keep her two young daughters. Living in a cramped room at her in-laws’ home, she endured constant blame and emotional abuse.
Later, even after moving in with her own family, S.S. faced physical violence from her brother.
“I used to live in a small room, owning nothing but my silence and postponed dreams,” she shared. “I suffer from bruises and marks on my body, but I hide it all out of fear for my mother’s health and society’s judgment.”
Things began to change after a home visit from a WRO case manager who introduced S.S. to psychosocial support. “Through these sessions, I learned how to protect myself if I ever face violence again,” she said.
I now feel like a strong woman who can protect her daughters and herself.S.S. shared how support helped her grow.
“I chose to save myself and my child.”
M.M., 46, returned to Tal Afar from Turkey after losing her husband. Left with no financial support, she struggled to raise her 5-year-old son. Societal customs and traditions deprived M.M. of her rights as a widow and denied her opportunity for work or legal entitlements.
“Even my husband’s pension was taken from me by my brother-in-law,” she said. “I didn’t want my child to grow up in this hardship.” M.M. chose to take her son away.
Despite her efforts to seek safety, life in Tal Afar proved just as difficult. Community judgment and economic hardship brought on deep psychological distress, leaving M.M. isolated and anxious.
Her situation started to improve when she was connected with WRO. Through their support, she received both legal advice and psychosocial counselling. With renewed strength and clarity, M.M. began the legal process to secure a national ID for her son, allowing him to attend school.
“I feel relief, change, and hope.”M.M. described her change coming with the psychological support.
“Today, I am happy with the person I’ve become.”
N.M., 31, from Tal Afar, lives in a crowded house with her husband and three children, sharing limited space with three other families. With her husband unemployed and the family trapped in poverty, N.M. struggled daily with the heavy burden of domestic violence and stress.
Married at a young age, she has endured years of mistreatment, often being physically abused by her husband in front of their children. The constant violence affected her children deeply. “They started bedwetting from fear,” she explained. “I was under so much pressure that I began to take it out on them too.”
N.M. felt completely alone, caught in a cycle of harm and guilt.
It was during a support session at her neighbor’s house that things began to shift. For the first time, someone listened.
The case manager quickly brought N.M. into the case management system, developed a safety plan to protect her, and began regular individual psychosocial support sessions.
I became more cautious in my behavior, started avoiding all the negative emotions and harmful thoughts that used to overwhelm me, and managed to overcome them.N.M. reflected on the personal changes she has experienced.
About the project
Project title: Combatting Violence Against Women and Girls
This project ensures that at-risk communities in Duhok, Erbil, and Ninewa continue to access critical protection services, including support for survivors of violence against women and girls (VAWG), mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), and legal aid.
Implemented by Women’s Rehabilitation Organization (WRO) with support from DCA, the project aims to strengthen DCA’s capacity to sustain humanitarian interventions amid growing instability. It focuses on safeguaring essential services for vulnerable groups, particularly women and girls, and protects them from risks such as survival sex and severe psychological distress.
This project is supported by Danida.
