Nadia Murad: Nobel Peace Prize Laureate on Genocide and Sexual Violence

The Yazidi Genocide and ISIS Atrocities

• 📌 Nadia Murad grew up in Kocho, a small Yazidi village in Sinjar, Iraq, dreaming of opening a beauty salon.
• ⚠️ In August 2014, ISIS attacked Yazidis, who were deemed infidels, leading to the killing of men and the enslavement of over 6,500 women and children in sexual slavery across Iraq and Syria.
• 💔 Nadia lost six brothers, dozens of cousins, and her mother, who was killed for being too old for sexual slavery.

ISIS's Specific Plans for Vulnerable Groups

• 🧠 ISIS had a specific plan for boys, brainwashing those deemed "not men yet" (e.g., by checking for underarm hair) and killing others.
• 🤰 Initially, ISIS used birth control on enslaved women to facilitate buying and selling, but later began forced impregnation to ensure their "legacy" through children born of rape.
• ⚖️ Children born of rape face significant challenges, as Iraqi law registers them as Muslims, not Yazidis, and the Yazidi community debates their acceptance.

Nadia's Initiative and The Murad Code

• 🚀 Nadia's Initiative was founded to rebuild post-conflict regions, support survivors, and advocate for justice, focusing on sustainable solutions rather than just emergency aid.
• 💡 The Murad Code, developed with the UK government, is a code of conduct for ethically working with survivors of sexual violence, aiming to prevent re-traumatization.
• ✅ This code empowers survivors to know their rights and decide what information to share, ensuring respectful documentation of atrocities.

The Imperative of Justice and Accountability

• ⚖️ Justice and accountability are crucial to deter perpetrators, as they fear facing survivors in court more than committing crimes.
• 👏 A Yazidi survivor in Germany found justice when her abuser passed out upon hearing his verdict, sending a powerful message that such crimes will be punished.
• 🌍 The speaker highlights that sexual violence as a weapon of war continues globally, citing examples in Sudan and Congo.

A Global Call for Inclusive Feminism

• 🏛️ Nadia urges governments, including Spain, to recognize the Yazidi genocide and provide more support for humanitarian projects and survivors.
• 🤝 She calls on feminists to fight for women's rights globally, acknowledging diverse needs—from equal pay in some regions to basic healthcare and safety in others.
• 🗣️ Emphasizes the importance of listening to different opinions and working together to address global challenges, rather than focusing solely on those who agree.

Hope for Rebuilding and Humanity

• 🏡 Despite the trauma, Nadia expresses pride in her roots and hopes to rebuild her community and country, envisioning a future where her children can grow up in peace.
• 🫂 She stresses the importance of recognizing the full humanity of refugees, who often don't want to leave their homes but seek safety.
• ✨ Nadia wants to be remembered like her mother, for ensuring no one gets hurt because of her actions and for continuously striving to do more.