On November 27, 2024, the New Light Award was held (within the framework of the P.A.S.S.I Project (Protection and Support for Social Inclusion of Violence Survivors in Kurdistan) as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence campaign, which is an annual activity organized by Nwe Organization in Halabja Governorate. This activity aims to highlight the vital contributions of women across various fields, encourage individuals who work to advance women’s roles and rights, and recognize efforts made in the promotion of women’s rights.
Program Highlights:
Welcome Speech
Suzan Faraj, Office Manager of the Women Empowerment Organization in Halabja Governorate, delivered the welcome speech, setting the tone for the event and emphasizing the importance of continued advocacy.
Panel Discussion
The discussion was led by Burhan Ahmad, Director of the Halabja Directorate for Combating Violence against Women and Family, and Ashti Karim, a lawyer and women’s rights activist. The panel covered a range of important topics, including:
Statistics on violence and its various forms against women and girls in Halabja.
Challenges and obstacles to effectively addressing violence in the region.
Suggestions for building a society that ensures safety, inclusion, and prosperity for all.
Award Ceremony:
The event concluded with the presentation of the New Light Award 2024, recognizing excellence in
the fields of media and activism. This year’s awardees were:
- Sazgar Salih – Reporter at Rudaw
- Harem Abdulrahman – Reporter at Roj News
- Peshraw Mahdi – Photographer and activist
These individuals were celebrated for their dedication to raising awareness and advocating for gender equality through their work.
