Team 7, Final Presentation

US-Iraq Virtual Exchange

The increased rate of women affected by sexual and gender-based violence during the COVID-19 pandemic

Economic Background & Indicators (Andrew)

• Economic Impact of Covid-19 🡪 affects families
• Low-income 🡪 increase in domestic violence
• Lockdowns added to already tense family situations

Program Proposal & Solution�(Sydney)

The Approach (Mei)

• Focus on sustainable, long-term help
• Connect women to existing resources
• Job opportunities for women (e.g., microloans, business opportunities)

The Initiative (Mei)

1. Work with religious communities. A video will highlight the dangers of domestic violence, make victims aware that they are not alone, will expose how prominent it is to people who are likely unaware of the stats.
2. Use preexisting mobile clinics as a private time to assess domestic violence and ask if women need help. Help them be aware of the resources available. Create an incentive for women to stay to develop a plan of action.

Survivor Stories

The Government of Iraq (GoI) and Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) authorities should:�

1.  Allow exceptions to movement restrictions for GBV survivors or those at-risk of GBV to enable them to seek safety and access services during the lockdowns and curfew.

2.  Issue exceptions to the movement restrictions for GBV service providers to continue and scale up service provision, where needed

3.  Endorse the anti-domestic violence law and enhance its implementation22, because the surge in domestic violence is also linked to discriminatory nature of existing laws that do not bring the perpetrators to justice

4.  With the support of GBV service providers, enhance government capacity to limit the risk factors and respond to GBV incidents across the country.�

Education & Empowerment of Women (Soma)

Impact of education on gender-based violence

The Power of Literacy (Pakraz)

1. Personal empowerment
2. Relational empowerment (relationship with others, negotiation and decision-making power)
3. Social empowerment (self-awareness self-confidence, self-efficacy)

Thank You! ��Questions?