About WANi Organization

In late 2020, a group of Iraqi women came together to champion the cause of women and girls' rights, as well as initiatives and organizations led by women in Iraq. The emergence of COVID-19 restrictions and the shift to remote work facilitated this approach. Together, we bring over two decades of experience collaborating with international organizations, corporate foundations, and grassroot initiatives both within and beyond Iraq.

The voices and agency of Iraqi women-led groups frequently go unnoticed in the planning and implementation of international development programs. Operating within an unstable and hostile environment, they face the constant threat of closure due to funding shortages and difficulties in retaining staff. To confront these challenges and foster a resilient community committed to advocating for the rights of women and girls, WANi offers task forces to support these institutions.

WANi Organization was established in Washington DC by Van Azad, bringing together a team of senior Iraqi women advisors and international development experts. Our collaborative efforts aim to advance equality for women and girls, as well as support women-led groups in Iraq. WANi utilizes social media and online platforms to amplify the voices and agency of Iraqi women, while also raising awareness about the repercussions of gender-based violence and inequality.

We aspire to leverage our combined expertise and dedication to support fellow women-led initiatives in Iraq and across the MENA region, striving towards gender equality for women and girls. Our approach involves offering consulting services tailored to their specific needs. We provide support by delivering customized technical training and mentoring programs, aiding in development and proposal writing, implementing need assessment tools, establishing internal system controls, crafting M&E plans, generating progress reports, and enhancing digital security measures. Additionally, we facilitate connections between local women’s organizations and regional/global resources to bolster their resilience.