Women's Peace Farm Shelters and Empowers Iraqi Families

[niyad]

Women's Peace Farm Shelters and Empowers Iraqi Families

Displaced by extremist violence, women-headed households are now flooding central and southern Iraq. They need humanitarian aid, shelter and resources to rebuild their lives. With MADRE, our local partner, the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI), is meeting these urgent and long-term needs.

The Women's Peace Farm is a way for displaced women farmers to achieve self-sufficiency and provide for their families. What's more, they support one another through the crisis of war.


Yanar Mohammed (center), President of OWFI, in the Peace Farm's greenhouse.


This project also alleviates the need for factory-farmed food aid. This enables women farmers to remain independent and strengthens their sense of personal agency and resiliency.
Near the southern Iraqi city of Karbala, OWFI secured a tract of land to start the Women's Peace Farm. Together, we purchased 5 caravans and equipped them with basic appliances. These provide shelter to 54 people (mainly women and children). OWFI also provides food for women and their families on a daily basis and covers their minimal living expenses such as transportation to the clinic and doctor fees.


Young boys who live on the Peace Farm.

Now, thanks to support from MADRE members, the farm is thriving. Already, the women have raised eggplants, peppers, okra and cucumbers. And just last week, we heard from our partners that a new crop of tomatoes was coming in. The Women's Peace Farm is an innovative answer to the crisis of war, displacement, and violence impacting Iraqi women.

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http://www.madre.org/page/press-room-125/news/womens-peace-farm-shelters-and-empowers-iraqi-families-992.html

[libodem]

1. Goddess bless

This peaceful endeavor. Amen.

[niyad]

2. indeed.

[libodem]

3. Think the world of

You. You are my kind of Feminist free thinker. I appreciate your efforts to bring us real stories of woman power.

I tire of the, men are our natural enemies, style of getting out a useful message. Our men especially on DU are decent guys with whom I have no quarrel. I intend to keep them as our allies and friends. Our issues are too important to play divide and conquer We all need to be on the same side. I hope I'm not too idealistic but I see our guys as much more feminist that say at the site which shall not be named.

[niyad]

4. thank you so much for those kinds words. we do have a great many allies here, that is true.

as for the site which shall not be named--may they receive everything they deserve.