The Issue
Across parts of Iraq – including Erbil, Dohuk, and Ninewa – women and girls are facing serious threats to their safety and well-being. Violence at home, early and forced marriages, and emotional and physical abuse are all too common.
For many, even their own homes are not safe. When international support was suddenly paused in 2024, thousands of women and girls were at risk of losing access to the life-saving services they rely on – like counseling, legal help, and safe spaces where they can find support and protection.
In response, the Women Rehabilitation Organization (WRO), stepped in to keep these services running.
The Solution
WRO ensures that at-risk communities have continued access to essential services, including prevention and response to violence against women and girls, mental health support, and legal aid – partly enabled by support from DCA Iraq to strengthen WRO’s capacity to sustain humanitarian interventions. This includes addressing both urgent and emerging needs while safeguarding community resilience, amplifying local voices, and ensuring WRO remains a strong and effective frontline responder amid growing instability.
This partnership is about more than just services – it’s about restoring dignity, safety, and hope. It’s about making sure every woman and girl knows she is not alone, and that help is available.
Women’s Rehabilitation Organization (WRO)
Women Rehabilitation Organization Women Rehabilitation organization (WRO) a leading women’s rights civil society organization in Iraq since 2003, and actively promotes women’s equal participation, improved access to health and education, and mitigates violence against women. WRO and DCA have been partners since 2020, and have focused on providing GBV services, psycho-social support and livelihood, and legal case management trainings.
The Change
WRO has reopened five community centers, providing mental health support, legal aid, and case management, and has reached hundreds of women and girls in need. But the challenges are deep-rooted. Harmful traditions, lack of legal protections, and social stigma make it hard for survivors to speak out or seek help.
The Protection, Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), and Mental Health Response Program in the Duhok, Erbil and Ninewa has been established to ensure the life-saving support to the survivors, women and girls, and other vulnerable groups.
After a sudden decrease in funding thousands of the most vulnerable persons supported by WRO’s community based integrated protection structures are at risk of losing access to critical lifesaving and support services. They face forced engagement into survival sex, human trafficking, and exploitation, while others resorting to self-harm or suicidal thoughts may lose access to treatment which in turn leads to further distress.
About the Project
Title: United Together in Combatting Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)
Timeline: 1/2/2024- 31/12/2026
Partner: Women’s Rehabilitation Organization (WRO)
Amount: DKK 4,631,868
DCA Theme: Fighting extreme inequlity
People reached (directly): 1,980
Donor: Danida
