Mercy Path for Women's Affairs

21/08/2026

16/06/2026

Last week Mercy Path participated in a training workshop entitled "Enhancing Civil Society Organizations' Participation and Advocacy in Early Childhood Care and Education," represented by Ms. Ayat Musab.

The three-day workshop was held in Baghdad at Coral Palace Hotel from 8 to 10 June 2026, as part of the ITALEEM Project – Equitable Quality Education in Iraq: Improved Teaching and Learning and Enhanced Educational Management.

The workshop aimed to strengthen the capacities of civil society organizations working in the field of early childhood education by enhancing their knowledge and skills in child care and education, designing effective educational programs, and building their advocacy capacities to influence educational policies.

In the training, participants explored key topics related to early childhood development, child rights, international frameworks for early childhood care and education, interactive teaching methods, play-based learning strategies, positive classroom management, and the design and planning of advocacy initiatives and community engagement campaigns.

We are thankful to ICSEF for the opportunity to participate in this training, and look forward to using the new knowledge for future projects!

14/06/2026

On 7 June, Mercy Path participated in the 12th ICSEF Coordination Meeting in Baghdad, represented by Ms. Ayat Mussab. The meeting brought together ITALEEM project partners, stakeholders, and ICSEF member civil society organizations working on education to review progress achieved through the forum and discuss key challenges, lessons learned, and future priorities. In addition, the meeting was attended by representatives from UNESCO, the NGO Department at the Ministry of Education.

Discussions focused on strengthening coordination with the Ministry of Education, enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of civil society contributions to the education sector, and promoting stronger policy dialogue and collaboration. Participants also reviewed ICSEF achievements and activities, agreed on future plans and operational modalities, and identified key action points for the upcoming phase of work.

We are proud to be a part of ICSEF and look forward to work on the plans made during the meeting!

01/05/2026

Behind every statistic is a person who deserves safety, dignity, and justice.

We’re proud to share our latest research report: Iraq’s Protection Pathway – A Guide to Service Providers and Protection Capacity for Victims of Human Trafficking.

This study provides a detailed assessment of Iraq’s fragmented protection systems across Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Drawing on 7 key informant interviews with UN agencies, service providers, NGOs, and government stakeholders, alongside a review of 13 legislative, policy, and trafficking reports, the research maps referral pathways, available shelters, service gaps, and risks faced by survivors.

This report includes:
- An overview of the legal framework for combating human trafficking, including the differences between Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI).
- Gaps and challenges affecting victim identification and protection.
- Practical insights from our experience and our partners' experience.
- Specific recommendations for the reform of Iraqi Law No. 28 (2012) to align with international standards.

The findings highlight critical barriers that continue to leave survivors unseen and unsupported, including limited shelter access, judicial recognition requirements, lack of specialized services, and exclusion risks for foreign nationals.

At Mercy Path, we believe change starts with evidence, collaboration, and action. Our work continues to focus on coordinated referrals, frontline support for vulnerable women, and strengthening pathways to safety for those most at risk.

📘 Read the full report on ReliefWeb to better understand the realities survivors face, and the reforms urgently needed to protect them: https://reliefweb.int/report/iraq/iraqs-protection-pathway-guide-service-providers-and-protection-capacity-victims-human-trafficking

06/04/2026

As the Strengthening Agencies for Women’s Advancement (SAWA) project has come to a close, we highlight the importance of evidence in driving sustainable change. Alongside implementation, the project contributed to a deeper understanding of institutional capacities and challenges shaping the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Iraq.

To strengthen the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Iraq, the project delivered a comprehensive, nationwide research effort:
✔️ 131 survey responses from 8 governorates
✔️ 15 key informant interviews with institutional leaders
✔️ 1 focus group discussion validating findings
✔️ 1 research report published and shared nationally in English and Arabic

The study provides actionable recommendations to strengthen institutional capacity, coordination, and implementation of WPS across Iraq; creating a strong foundation for future programming and scale-up.

Please find the full research report here: https://www.mercypath.org/post/beyond-policy-new-nationwide-research-reveals-what-really-drives-women-peace-and-security-in-iraq

This project was implemented by Mercy Path with funding provided by Women for Women International (WfWI), supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

02/04/2026

As the Strengthening Agencies for Women’s Advancement (SAWA) project has come to a close, we celebrate how real impact happens when knowledge is put into practice. Building on newly developed skills, participants took the lead in designing and delivering initiatives that respond to the needs of their communities.

Equipped with new skills, four Women, Peace and Security task forces turned learning into action across Baghdad:
✔️ 4 task forces established and activated
✔️ 60 participants engaged in intervention design workshops
✔️ 8 community-based initiatives implemented
✔️ 318 beneficiaries reached (including 305 women)
✔️ Activities delivered across 8 districts in Baghdad

From awareness sessions on electronic blackmail to vocational training and political empowerment workshops, participants led impactful, community-driven change for the first time.

This project was implemented by Mercy Path with funding provided by Women for Women International (WfWI), supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

30/03/2026

As the Strengthening Agencies for Women’s Advancement (SAWA) project has come to a close, we reflect on how strengthening institutions starts with investing in people. During the project, we worked closely with the Women, Family and Children Department in Baghdad to build practical skills that can be directly applied in their daily work.

Through a targeted needs assessment and tailored training approach, we strengthened the capacities of the Women, Family and Children Department in Baghdad.

✔️ 56 staff engaged in the initial assessment
✔️ 4 hybrid training workshops delivered
✔️ 42 core staff trained in project management, reporting, fundraising, and advocacy
✔️ 179 total participants reached across sessions
✔️ 64% average increase in knowledge levels

Participants reported high satisfaction and immediate application of skills, laying the foundation for stronger institutional performance and service delivery.

This project was implemented by Mercy Path with funding provided by Women for Women International (WfWI), supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

30/03/2026

We recently visited Bajed Kandala IDP Camp in Duhok Governorate alongside Mercy Hands for Humanitarian Aid, hosted by the inspiring team at Imprint of Hope, an IDP-led humanitarian organisation. Bajed Kandala hosts displaced communities from the Sinjar region since 2015.

Despite limited resources, Imprint of Hope is delivering vital healthcare, education, and psychosocial support to over 8,000 residents, while also creating safe spaces for youth, including a girls’ football team we had the chance to meet during training.

The visit highlighted both the resilience of the community and the urgent needs that remain, particularly in healthcare access, basic services, and sustainable support.
We’re grateful for the warm welcome and meaningful exchange, and we look forward to exploring ways to support and collaborate in the future.

08/03/2026

🌸 Celebrating Women’s Voices! 🌸
In a joint initiative by Mercy path & Mercy hands , staff came together this Sunday for a hands-on workshop in celebration of International Women’s Day.
Highlights of the session:
Anonymous survey to share opinions
Interactive presentation in Arabic & English
Group activity fostering teamwork and reflection
A meaningful day dedicated to empowering women and exploring challenges. 🎗️

08/03/2026

In Iraq and across the globe, a dangerous backlash is rising against women’s rights organisations. This isn't just "disagreement", it’s a coordinated effort to silence progress through:

🚫 Smear campaigns and online harassment.

⚖️ Legal barriers designed to stop life-saving services.

⚠️ Physical attacks on staff and safe spaces.

Why? Because these organizations stand with survivors. They are being targeted because they dare to challenge the stigmatization and violence against women and girls.

This movement isn't just a threat to women, it’s a threat to human rights everywhere . This International Women’s Day, we don’t just celebrate women, we stand in solidarity with the providers and defenders who will not be silenced.
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