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Paved Roads & Paving the Way Forward: Women Peace Team in Hardan, Sinjar

Date: January 6, 2025
Hardan, a small village nestled in Sinjar, Ninewa, Iraq, is home to a resilient Yazidi community. However, the trauma left by the brutal ISIS invasion from 2014 to 2017 continues to challenge the peace and unity of this tight-knit village. ISIS's occupation left scars on Hardan—shattering vital infrastructure and sowing deep divisions. 

Among the Yazidis in Hardan, some began associating Sunni Arabs in their community with ISIS ties, further straining the social fabric. The lack of essential services—electricity, water, and road repairs—has deepened frustrations within the Yazidi community. And this fuels further resentment toward the Sunni Arab community, who are perceived to have greater access to these resources. These unaddressed needs perpetuate cycles of tension and hinder efforts to rebuild peace and social cohesion. 

While rebuilding Hardan after the ISIS occupation has been an uphill battle, women like Dima* and Zina* are taking a stand. As members of the Women Peace Team (WPT) in Hardan, trained by NP, they are leading efforts to rebuild their village through advocacy and dialogue. 

Equipped with skills from NP's training in Unarmed Civilian Protection, Dima decided to tackle these challenges head-on. “Before I didn’t have any responsibility towards my community," she shared. "But now I feel that my community is my home, and I have the confidence that I can change it for the better.” 

The WPT identified key stakeholders—local leaders, mukhtars, municipality officials, and community police—to address Hardan’s lack of basic services and devastated infrastructure. 

Persevering Through Challenges

Determined to address Hardan’s lack of water, electricity, and road repairs, the WPT began their advocacy efforts in Sinuni town (the administrative hub for Hardan). However, they soon learned that these services fell under the jurisdiction of the Department of Villages and Rural Areas, located 130km away in Mosul. This realization brought new challenges. 

“We were asking and complaining about the lack of services, but we were not reaching the right person," shared Zina. 

Cultural norms in Hardan often discourage women from traveling or engaging in public spaces, but the WPT remained determined. Supported by NP, they ventured to meet with the Mayor of Sinjar, a critical step toward progress. The mayor listened attentively to their concerns and pledged to act, coordinating with relevant departments in Mosul. This marked a turning point. 

"We were survivors and now we are leaders," Zina reflected. "We did not have knowledge about Unarmed Civilian Protection, and our method of demanding was violent and useless; now, we speak in peace and achieve the goal.” 

Dialogue into Results

Following the meeting, the Department of Villages and Rural Areas began planning road repairs, while the Water Department assessed Hardan’s dried-up wells. Their findings prompted an international NGO specializing in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) to step in, securing funding to restore Hardan’s water resources. 

The WPT didn’t stop there. They followed up with officials in Mosul, solidifying relationships and ensuring that the road repairs and water initiatives moved forward. Dima, Zina, and the other WPT members were thrilled to hear that the plans to begin development work in Hardan were in process, and actions would soon be taken to pave the roads in Hardan. 

“I did not think that one day, as a woman, I would be able to defend my community personally and meet the most important people in the government," shared Dima. 

The WPT’s efforts have sparked a ripple effect: By building strong connections with authorities, they not only secured essential services for Hardan, but also challenged cultural norms that traditionally excluded women from leadership roles. 

This journey has inspired others in the village, proving that change is possible when communities come together with courage and determination. Indeed, the initiative was met with astonishment and gratitude from the women of Hardan, who could not believe that change was on the horizon. 

The women of Hardan are not only survivors—they are also leaders, paving the way for a brighter future. While the journey to rebuild Hardan is far from over, they have shown that change is possible when communities unite with courage and determination. 

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*All names have been changed for privacy and confidentiality purposes

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