A devastating and protracted humanitarian crisis is currently ongoing in Syria and Iraq, with brutal violence and chaos forcing millions to flee their homelands and leave everything behind. Women and children make up the majority of the displaced population; as victims of displacement, they experience additional challenges and vulnerabilities, such as sexual, physical and psychological abuse and trauma.

The Assyrians, an ethnic and religious minority, whose traditional homeland comprises parts of northern Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Iran, have seen their already precarious situation deteriorate since the advance of the so-called Islamic State. In this context, Assyrian women are particularly vulnerable due to the double challenge of being a woman and belonging to a minority group.

Despite the perilous journeys and inhumane experiences women fleeing violence have to endure, there are courageous women and positive initiatives that seek to make an empowering difference in the lives of those affected by armed conflict. Against this background, this conference, organised by the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) in conjunction with the Assyrian Women’s Federation of Sweden, and hosted by Kati Piri MEP (S&D), will offer a platform to raise awareness of the experiences and work of Assyrian women in conflict zones.

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