Nadia Murad

Nadia Murad is a Yazidi human rights activist who was born in the village of Kocho, Sinjar, Iraq. She was captured and held by the Islamic State in 2014, during which she endured unimaginable abuses. After her escape, she became a vocal advocate for the rights of her community and the plight of the Yazidi people as a whole, who suffered greatly under ISIS's genocidal campaign.

In recognition of her courageous advocacy, Nadia Murad was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018, sharing the honor with Dr. Denis Mukwege. They were recognized for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict. Her Nobel Prize brought significant attention to the issue and has helped to mobilize international efforts against sexual violence in conflicts.

Nadia Murad has also founded the Nadia’s Initiative, an organization dedicated to helping women and children victimized by genocide, mass atrocities, and human trafficking to heal and rebuild their lives and communities. She continues to speak out on behalf of minorities and survivors, and her work has made her a leading figure in global efforts to prevent sexual violence and to support its victims.

Books

The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State