Established in 2004, Women Empowerment Organization (WEO) is a women-led, national non-governmental organization registered in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq devoted to empowering women socially, economically, and politically. At WEO, we work diligently to enhance women's influence, combat all forms of violence against them, and advocate for policy development and reform that supports equality between women and men. WEO is dedicated to delivering its services in the sectors of Protection, Livelihoods, Advocacy, and Humanitarian by offering a comprehensive range of services, including socio-economic and psychological support, access to finance, individual and institutional capacity development, legal assistance, and advocacy for inclusive approach and meaningful fulfillment of sustainable peace and security.
Ms. Suzan Aref, is a human rights and civil society activist, founder, and director of Women Empowerment Organization since 2004. She was the coordinator of the Iraqi cross-sector task force (CSTF) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security Agenda (2014-2019). She represented Iraq during her presence in the Security Council twice in a row in 2018 and 2019, to present women's situation and the progress made in implementing the First National Action Plan of UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Mrs. Suzan Aref was selected by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights among 30 human rights defenders in the Middle East and North Africa. Mrs. Suzan participated as a main speaker at the European Union and Security Council Directors' meeting in The Hague on January 10, 2018, under the patronage of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She has been nominated internationally as one of the world's most creative women in 2020 for her efforts that stand out for diversity and equality. Mrs. Suzan works as the coordinator of the Alliance 1325, a large group of civil society organizations at the level of Iraq, which had a pioneering role in developing the first national action plan in Iraq. She is a member of regional and international networks, and holds many certificates of appreciation and honors at both national and international levels, with extensive experience in women's issues (including equality, empowerment and advocacy in policies and national plans), she has worked as a consultant for several national and international agencies in the region.
1. Research study on “Strengthening the Capacity of Women Professionals Working in the Counter-Terrorism Sector in Iraq wit United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 2019.
2. Reviewing and Evaluating the “UK National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security 2018-2022” Supported by UK Embassy in November 2019.
3. Peer reviewers of a guideline study “Guidance for practitioners in Iraq-International protocol on the documentation and investigation of sexual violence in conflict” with UK Embassy in August 2018.
