Shingle — As the 74th anniversary of the Ferman approaches, Yazidi women, despite the wounds and pain they carry, continue to hold on to hope and to seek the disclosure of the fate of abductees, many of whom have remained unaccounted for over the past 12 years.

In this context, the Free Yazidi Women's Movement (TAJÊ), the Yazidi Women's Councils Assembly (SMJÊ), the Union of Yazidi Women in Syria (YJÊS), along with Yazidi women in Russia and Armenia, announced the launch of a joint campaign on July 17 under the slogan "For Justice and Freedom, Be a Voice for the Ferman's Abductees Too."

With the launch of the campaign, Yazidi women began organizing a series of activities aimed at shedding light on the issue of the abductees and demanding justice.

"We Want to Be the Voice of Our Abductees"

Nujin Ezidi, spokesperson for Yazidi Women's Media, explained that launching this campaign carries great significance and a strong message for the Yazidi community, particularly for survivors of ISIS crimes, noting that the issue of Yazidi abductees remains unresolved, and that neither official bodies nor international powers have taken sufficient steps to determine their fate.

She said: "The goal of the campaign is for Yazidi women to become a voice for the abductees, and to help protect their rights and prevent their cause from being forgotten," affirming that this initiative would strengthen the cohesion of the Yazidi community and amplify the voice of the abductees in demanding their rights.

Nujin Ezidi also noted that Yazidi women and girls were at the forefront of those targeted during the attacks on the Yazidi community, explaining that the campaign launched by the Free Yazidi Women's Movement on the anniversary of the Ferman represents a powerful message against attempts to erase Yazidi identity and belief through the targeting of women.

She added that women bore the greatest share of the Ferman's tragedies, having faced violations and violence because of their identity and beliefs — making this campaign an important step in remembering their suffering and defending their rights.

"Through Yazidi Women's Unity, the Campaign's Goals Will Be Achieved"

In discussing the details of the campaign, Nujin Ezidi affirmed that initiatives launched by women's movements can serve as a bridge helping every Yazidi woman move past the effects of her suffering and toward hope, stressing that unity among Yazidi women forms the foundation for achieving the campaign's goals.

She said the responsibility does not fall on Yazidi women alone, but extends to all women and society as a whole, calling for the Yazidi community's cause to be treated as a shared responsibility, and for support of the campaign and its continuation.

She also explained that it is the responsibility of Yazidi women's media to work toward the campaign's success and to stand alongside Yazidi women and the community, affirming that the abductees represent the voice of the Yazidi cause, and that conveying their testimonies and views helps carry their suffering to the world with greater force.

She expressed hope that Yazidi girls and women rescued from ISIS's grip, whether inside or outside Iraq, would be able to reclaim their rights and demand justice and recognition of the genocide committed against the Yazidi community.

She called for expanding the campaign's reach and strengthening solidarity among women, stressing that protecting one another and standing united are essential to preventing a repeat of the tragedies the Yazidi community has endured.

Nujin Ezidi noted that the fate of many Yazidi girls and women remains unknown to this day, explaining that while the situations of some others have been identified, they remain unable to return or reach their families. She affirmed that this campaign aims to give Yazidi women and girls a platform to voice their concerns, highlight their causes, and contribute to their return to their homes and communities.

"Listen to the Suffering of Yazidi Women"

Nujin Ezidi called on women around the world to join in supporting this campaign, affirming that every woman who believes in women's rights and possesses a sense of humanity should stand behind and support this cause.

She said that the presence of Yazidi women and girls across different parts of the world gives them the opportunity to act wherever they are, to search for the abductees, and to follow up on their situations. She also called on women in countries that have recognized the genocide against the Yazidis to demand that their governments uphold the rights of Yazidi women.

"We Want to Reach Our Abductees"

For her part, Lisa Faqir, spokesperson for the teachers' delegation, began by remembering the victims of the Ferman, affirming that launching this campaign represents an important step, particularly given the difficult conditions the Yazidi community continues to face.

She said that the participation of Yazidi women's movements and women themselves in this initiative aims to build bridges to reach the abductees and extend a helping hand to them, stressing that what is required of Iraq is to provide support and assistance to rescue the abductees and return Yazidi girls and women to their land, community, and faith.

She also affirmed that the families of the Ferman's abductees bear great responsibility in pursuing their case and standing by them after years of suffering, calling for cooperation to rescue those still in ISIS's grip, noting that the abductees understand the depth of pain the Yazidi community has endured, and that the greatest role falls on Yazidi women and girls, as they were the ones who suffered most from the Ferman.

Lisa Faqir concluded by stressing the necessity of solidarity among all women, building bridges of cooperation between them, and actively participating in this campaign until its goals are achieved.