Nadia Murad

Human Rights Activist & Nobel Peace Prize Laureate; President & Chairwoman of Nadia’s Initiative

Nadia Murad

Human Rights Activist & Nobel Peace Prize Laureate; President & Chairwoman of Nadia’s Initiative

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Biography

Human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Murad became a leading advocate for survivors of genocide and sexual violence after surviving the horrific Yazidi Genocide in Iraq carried out by the Islamic State (ISIS). At the time of the attack in 2014, Nadia was taken captive by ISIS members and forced into slavery, enduring repeated abuse until she was able to escape. Since then, she has shared her story to raise awareness about gender-based violence, and has become a powerful advocate for women and communities who experience extreme brutality and abuse.

For her advocacy work, Nadia partnered with Amal Clooney to fight for the legal rights of Yazidis in Iraq, launched her own nonprofit Nadia’s Initiative to help rebuild communities in crisis, and collaborated with like-minded people to create several initiatives aimed at providing enhanced access to care and reparations for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. Nadia also authored the New York Times bestselling memoir, The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State.

In addition to Nadia’s awards and recognitions, she has routinely appeared on NBC News, CNN, BBC, France 24, and other international networks to share her story and speak out on behalf of survivors of genocide and sexual violence. Her written work is included in a range of publications, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Reuters.

Founded in 2018, Nadia’s Initiative (NI) is dedicated to rebuilding communities in crisis and advocating globally for survivors of sexual violence. NI’s current work is focused on the sustainable redevelopment of the Yazidi homeland in Sinjar, Iraq, where Nadia Murad grew up. When ISIS launched their genocidal campaign, they not only killed and kidnapped Yazidis, but also destroyed the Yazidi homeland to ensure the community could never return.

All of NI’s programs are community-driven, survivor-centric, and work to promote long-term peace-building. In line with a grassroots approach to sustainable development, the organization works with the local community and a variety of implementing partners to design, support, and implement projects that promote the restoration and improvement of education, healthcare, livelihoods, WASH, women’s empowerment, and cultural preservation. NI advocates for governments and international organizations to support rebuilding efforts in post-conflict communities such as the Sinjar region, seeks justice for Yazidis by holding ISIS accountable for their atrocities, and advocates globally for survivors of genocide and sexual violence.

Speaker Videos

Nadia Murad Commencement Speech at Pitzer College

Nadia Murad: Nobel Peace Prize lecture 2018 (English subtitles)

Chapman University Commencement Speech

Speech Topics

The Last Girl: A Story of Courage & Resilience

Nadia Murad was born in Kocho, a small farming village in northern Iraq. Her peaceful life was savagely interrupted when ISIS attacked her homeland with the intention of ethnically cleansing Iraq of all Yazidis, an ancient ethnic and religious minority. Like many minority groups, the Yazidis have carried the weight of historical persecution. Women in particular have suffered greatly, as they have been and continue to be victims of sexual violence.

Now a bestselling author, a human rights activist, and a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Nadia’s life has become a dizzying array of exhausting undertakings — from testifying before the U.N. to visiting refugee camps to soul-bearing media interviews and one-on-one meetings with top government officials. Nadia escaped the hands of ISIS to become a relentless beacon of hope for her people, even when at times she longs to lay aside this monumental burden and simply have an ordinary life.

With deep compassion and her calm and steely demeanor, Nadia Murad tells of her harrowing ordeal as a captive of the Islamic State, her ultimately inspiring story of escape, and her new life as the voice of her people. Nadia delivers an inspiring call to action, a testament to the human will to survive, and a love letter to a lost country and a family torn apart by war.

Nadia’s Initiative: Rebuilding Communities, Protecting Survivors

A member of the Yazidi minority in northern Iraq, Nadia Murad was the victim of an attack on her home village by the Islamic State (ISIS). Several hundred people were massacred and hundreds of girls and young women, including Nadia, were abducted and held as sex slaves. Nadia was repeatedly subjected to rape and other abuses, but after three harrowing months, she managed to escape.

As a witness to the Islamic State’s brutality, a survivor of rape, a refugee, and a Yazidi, Nadia forced the world to pay attention to genocide and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. She became a Human Rights Activist, a Nobel Peace Prize Winner, and a tireless voice calling to make “never again” a reality.

In this onstage conversation, Nadia raises awareness about the ongoing plight of the Yazidi people and shares her efforts to persuade governments and other organizations to financially support the rebuilding of the Yazidi homeland. In conjunction with her nonprofit, Nadia’s Initiative, Nadia outlines the programs to promote health, relocation, justice, and reparations for the thousands of displaced survivors. Nadia will deliver an impassioned speech calling for a worldwide, concerted humanitarian effort —overcoming all political and cultural division — to create a better future for women, children, and persecuted minorities.

Testimonials

"We were deeply honored to host Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad, where her presence illuminated our campus with hope, determination, and a call to action. With a morning packed with diverse events, including a poignant gathering attended by over 1500 participants, Nadia's message resonated powerfully across our community. From her captivating address to the large audience, where she tailored her message to engage students of varying ages and backgrounds while honoring the gravity of her own experiences, to her insightful discussions with student leaders and trustees, Nadia left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of engaging with her. Nadia Murad's was a catalyst for change. Her compelling case towards action, rooted in learning, informing ourselves, and then taking concrete steps, left us energized and determined to contribute to the cause of promoting human dignity and confronting exploitation."

- CETYS University System

“We were honored to have Nadia Murad as the keynote speaker at the awards ceremony for the 25th Annual Holocaust Art & Writing Contest at Chapman University on March 15, 2024. Because the audience of around 700 was unusually diverse, ranging in age from middle and high school students to Holocaust survivors in their 90s to distinguished community members in their middle years, it was a challenging assignment. Without describing her experience of enslavement by Isis in more detail than would have been appropriate for the youngest attendees, she nonetheless conveyed a very real sense of the deep loss and terror she experienced. She was equally adept, and both sensitive and respectful, in relating her experiences to those of the Holocaust survivors who were present. In her speech, Nadia did more than inform and educate—although that in itself would have been a very substantial accomplishment—she moved and inspired us to join in her efforts of tikkun olam, healing the world, creating a world where no woman will suffer as she did. A person of true humility and humanity, through her words and actions, Nadia leaves a message that moves minds and hearts. The standing ovation she received following her presentation testified to her unforgettable impact on all of us who were privileged to hear her.”

- Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

"Nadia Murad's presentation at Boston College on the plight of the Yazidis, which was detailed so masterfully in her excellent book, The Last Girl, was profoundly moving and eye-opening. Her courage and resilience shone through as she shared her personal story of survival and advocacy with unwavering honesty and eloquence. Nadia's ability to articulate the harrowing experiences of her community underlines her dedication to raising awareness about the atrocities committed against the Yazidis.

Her presentation not only educated students and faculty about the history and culture of the Yazidis but also emphasized the urgent need for global action to prevent such tragedies from recurring. Nadia's unwavering commitment to seeking justice for her people and promoting peace serves as an inspiration to all who are fortunate enough to hear her speak.

My students left her presentation deeply moved and with a renewed determination to support efforts towards justice and human rights for all marginalized communities. In this profound sense, Nadia has excited a new generation of young people to human rights advocacy. She is not just a survivor; she is a beacon of hope and an exemplary advocate for the Yazidi people and victims of similar atrocities worldwide."

- Boston College