Shams Al-Insaniya Organization for Women and Child has an impressive track record of implementing impactful projects that bring significant benefits to communities. Notably, SHAO has successfully executed two advocacy and campaign projects focused on women’s rights, including protection against gender-based violence (GBV) in Anbar Province and child marriage, both of which achieved widespread impact. These projects involved social media awareness activities and campaigns conducted in collaboration with the Media in Cooperation and Transition (MICT) and GIZ.

The first campaign aimed to increase community engagement and raise awareness in Anbar about GBV protection for women, achieving remarkable results by reaching 520,920 people and garnering 6,000 interactions. Building on this success, the second campaign expanded its scope to address child marriage, reaching 814,556 people and recording 5,800 interactions. The campaigns utilized creative social media content, including videos, real-life stories of women, and educational clips, which effectively engaged audiences across Iraq and beyond.

In addition to social media campaigns, SHAO partnered with Mercy Corps to deliver a comprehensive training program for 700 students. The program, Peace for Education, aimed to equip youth with the skills necessary to foster positive change in their communities. The training sessions covered peaceful conflict resolution methods and effective teaching strategies, enabling participants to actively contribute to promoting a culture of peace and inclusivity.

SHAO also collaborated with the Iraqi Al-Amal Association, supported by the Norwegian People’s Aid, as part of the Partnership Horizons Project. This initiative focused on empowering youth to engage in community participation. It included dialogue sessions with decision-makers on critical societal issues such as the rights of women from martyrs’ families, the inclusion of women in community policing (noting the scarcity of women in this sector in Anbar), and advocating for the rights of children with disabilities to access education by integrating them into primary schools, along with other societal concerns.

Moreover, the organization partnered with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on a project to enhance social cohesion in Anbar Province. This initiative included dialogue sessions and awareness activities addressing the needs and solutions for families returning from Al-Hol Camp in Anbar. The initiative featured a theatrical performance portraying the needs of returning families, particularly women.

SHAO also implemented a significant project to prevent violent extremism in partnership with World Vision and funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project involved an in-depth study to identify the root causes of violent extremism in the region, examining social, economic, political, and cultural factors. The study was based on extensive data collection and consultations with community members and experts.

The results of this study were presented at a high-level conference attended by over 300 participants, including decision-makers, community leaders, academics, and representatives from various organizations. The conference provided a platform to discuss the findings, explore effective strategies for preventing violent extremism, and foster collaborative efforts to address the issue. The event featured expert presentations, interactive discussions, and workshops aimed at developing actionable recommendations and plans. The project significantly contributed to a deeper understanding of violent extremism and facilitated a collaborative approach to prevention. The conference not only enhanced community resilience but also improved coordination among stakeholders, directly impacting 200 participants and achieving broader awareness and improved efforts to prevent extremism in Anbar and beyond.

SHAO has also provided essential services to returning and displaced women, including legal, health, psychosocial support, and case management. The organization operates a listening and counseling center staffed by female lawyers, social workers, and a case management director, maintaining a database of 5,000 women targeted by previous activities. The organization has also empowered women economically through training workshops, equipping them with essential skills.

SHAO is an active member of the Water Management Committee in Anbar Province, which includes directors of service departments, the Anbar Police Operations Command, the Assistant Governor for Technical Affairs, and three representatives from local civil society organizations within the USAID-supported Iraq Together Project. Additionally, the organization is an active member of several networks, including ICSEF, supported by Save the Children International; the Climate Change (Environment) Network within the Interaction Project supported by USAID; and the Shams Network for Election Monitoring. Shams Al-Anbar also leads a sub-network in Anbar Province as part of the Women, Peace, and Security Project supported by Search for Common Ground.