Widad Akrawi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Widad Akrawi
وداد عقراوي

Widad Akrawi addressing the UN, 2010
Born Widad Akrawi
1969
Kurdistan region, Iraq
Citizenship Danish
Education Masters degree in genetics and inherited disease and PhD in global health and cancer epidemiology
Organization Defend International
Known for Bridging gap between cultures, human rights- and peace advocate, author, Arms Trade Treaty
Title President
Website
Offecial Website

Widad Akrawi (born 1969), is a Danish human rights defender and peace advocate of Kurdish ancestry. She is an international health expert, author, lecturer, senior lobbyist, and the President of Defend International.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Akrawi holds a Masters degree in genetics and a PhD in international health and epidemiology.[7] Violations of human rights that occurred during the Iraqi government offensive against the Kurds in 1974, as well as during the Al-Anfal Campaign are thought to have shaped her life. Focusing on the end goals and holding on to her principles guided her to overcome the hardships she endured. She became the first young woman born in the Middle East region to have engaged in advocacy relating to illicit trade of small arms and light weapons, gender-based violence, chemical and biological disarmament, conventional disarmament and international security.[8] She has been awarded the 2013 ‘Special Prize’ for bridging the gap between civilisations and making valuable contributions to humanity through the creation of a culture of coexistence.[9] In 2013, she was listed among the world's "top 10 people who might win a Nobel Peace Prize" in the future.[10]

Biography

Akrawi was born into a secular family in Akre, Kurdistan region, Iraq, in 1969. In 1974 Akrawi and her family fled to Mosul to avoid the Iraqi government offensive against the Kurds. In 1975, her family returned to Akre, and she started the school in September of that year. In her early and her teenage years, she resisted every effort made by members of the Baath Party to induce her to gain her trust and become a member, which caused her to be blacklisted for a period of time.[6]

In 1986, when Akrawi was 16 years old, she moved to Erbil where she studied civil engineering with a focus on designing roads and bridges at the Salahaddin University. In 1988 she was secretly involved in documenting torture and other violations of human rights throughout Iraq. The following year, she became politically involved in various struggles for human rights, peace, social justice, democratic governance and ethnic reconciliation. Her advocacy of anti-authoritarianism and her criticism of the use of excessive force against civilians were not without risk and threat to her life and the lives of her family members. Her involvement in these issues became more intense after the Al-Anfal Campaign, also known as the Kurdish Genocide. Despite difficult times, she managed to complete her B.Sc. in 1990.[11]

After the first Gulf War, when the Iraqi regime regained power over Kurdistan region through a bloody offensive in spring 1991, she was forced to leave her country. Because of her peace activism and political affiliations, she sought political asylum in Denmark and made her residence in Copenhagen.[11]

In Denmark, Akrawi graduated from Language School in Nykøbing Falster in 1992 and enrolled at Naestved High School, where she continued studying Danish language and literature. The following year, she entered Roskilde Language School, where she passed "Danish Test 2" with a respectable high score.[4] In 1999, she graduated from the Technical University of Denmark, where she earned a master’s degree in genetics and molecular biology. Soon after, she worked as a clinical geneticist at the Royal Hospital in Copenhagen, researching inherited diseases.[6] She also holds a PhD degree in global health and cancer epidemiology.[7]

Akrawi is currently leading Defend International, a Norway-based NGO whose mission is "to respond to grave violations of human rights and of International Humanitarian Law, monitor the implementation of preventive measures that are designed to end impunity for the perpetrators of these crimes, conduct medical research that may either directly or indirectly improve the health standard of communities, and to promote peace and democracy through cultural relations and diplomacy."[12]

Dedication to human rights

Akrawi's passion for human rights started many years ago when she advocated for her classmates at her school.[5] As she grew up, she helped to establish a secret working group against torture in Iraq, dedicated to collecting evidence of torture and other human rights abuses. In 1987, she was secretly interviewing the victims and their families.[5] She raised awareness about the impacts of torture and other violations of human rights on civilians. In 1990, she was engaged in advocating for gender equality and women’s empowerment in the Middle East and North Africa region. She then co-founded a regional Women’s Working Group and organised programs to enhance women’s participation in peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction.[5]

In Denmark, Akrawi launched campaigns, wrote articles for Danish, Arabic and Kurdish newspapers and spoke in panel discussions on human rights, international conventions and peace. In 2005, she was elected, among Arabic-speaking bloggers from around the world, as the MENA region’s most prominent blogger.[8] She was awarded the prestigious title of “Queen Blogger" for two years until she resigned. Her first involvement with Amnesty International was in 1994, when she started to do volunteer work. In March 2006, the International Secretariat of Amnesty International thanked her for her efforts in support of Amnesty’s campaigns, especially her effective use of the internet as a tool for human rights education and mobilisation.[8] In February 2006, she was appointed as "Stop Torture” ambassador for Amnesty’s Danish section. She was elected in the executive committee of Amnesty International Denmark in April 2006.[13]

In June 2006, Akrawi co-chaired the first regional conference on control arms held in Cairo and was part of a delegation of high-profile activists who met with policy-makers at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Egyptian Parliament.[8] In June 2007, she quit Amnesty International and co-founded Defend International. Same year, she was elected as a co-chair of the Women’s Working Group on MENA Region.[8]

Akrawi has created partner agreements with leading NGOs like the International Action Network on Small Arms,[14] Cluster Munition Coalition and the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.[8] She has launched campaigns to defend the rights of writers, civil society activists, children, girls, women's rights defenders, students, professors, prisoners on death row and prisoners on hunger strikes.[15][16] She has over 20 years of experiences in the areas of human rights, gender equality, women's empowerment, grassroots organising, intercultural communication, strategic planning, international security, peace and international conventions.

“ Widad Akrawi has worked for a strong and effective Arms Trade Treaty. Her research on MENA countries, lobbying, and advocacy helped bring about sweeping changes in the voting process in 2006, 2008 and 2013. ”
“ Akrawi has worked for a new Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict - a goal that was achieved in September 2013. ”
“ Akrawi has lobbied for the adoption of a resolution exclusively dedicated to illicit transfer, destabilising accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons around the world - a goal that was achieved in September 2013 by the adoption of Resolution 2117 (2013) Dedicated to Question of Small Arms and Light Weapons. ”

Status and membership

Widad Akrawi addressing the United Nations Fourth Biennial Meeting of States held in June 2010 in New York.
  • She has been listed among the world's top 10 people who might win a Nobel Peace Prize sometime in the future.[10]
  • She has been awarded the 2013 ‘Special Prize’ by the National Organisation for Future Generations for being a passionate advocate of bridging the gap between civilisations and cultures, and making valuable contributions to humanity through the creation of a culture of coexistence and harmony.[9]
  • President, Defend International (2007-Now).[17]
  • Defend International representative to the UN Fourth Biennial Meeting of States, held in New York to review the implementation of the Programme of Action to prevent, combat, and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects (14–18 June 2010).[18][19][20][21][22]
  • Defend International representative to the General Assembly Interactive Hearings with Non-governmental organizations, Civil society organizations and the Private sector. (UN Headquarters in NY, 14–15 June 2010).[23][24]
  • Defend International representative to the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security Committee) of the United Nations General Assembly (October 2009).[25]
  • Defend International representative to the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security Committee) of the United Nations General Assembly (October 2008).[26]
  • Defend International representative to the UN Third Biennial Meeting of States, held in New York to consider the implementation of the Programme of Action to prevent, combat, and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects (July 2008).[27]
  • Defend International representative to the 52nd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women held at United Nations Headquarters in New York (February to March 2008).[28][29]
  • Defend International representative to the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security Committee) of the UN General Assembly (October 2007).[30]
  • Defend International representative to Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.[31]
  • Amnesty International lobbyist to the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security Committee) of the UN General Assembly (October 2006).[32]
  • Member of the board, Women of Europe Award, Denmark (2003-Now).[33]
  • Member of the board, International Women Steering Committee.[34]
  • Member of the IANSA Women's Network Working Group.[34]
  • Member of Cluster Munition Coalition.[8]
  • Member of the board, Amnesty International Denmark (30 April 2006- 18 June 2007).[13]
  • Ambassador for Amnesty International's Stop Torture campaign, Denmark (9 February 2006- 18 June 2007).[34]
  • Member of jury board, Amnesty International's Arabic Short Novel Competition (April 2006-June 2007).[35]
  • Establishment of a special blog for Amnesty's Control Arms Campaign (June 2006) [36]

Bibliography

  • The Association Between Vitamin E Intake and Lung Cancer Risk and the Effect Modification of Dietary Intake of Fat and Fatty Acids on This Association: A Case-Control Study Based on the NHANES Datasets 1999-2010. USA: ProQuest/UMI. 2013. ISBN 9781303351792. [37]
  • Proposed Evaluation of Cervical Cancer Prevention Strategies: Does Current Approach to Cervical Cancer Control Achieve Its Objectives?. Munich: GRIN Publishing GmbH. 2013. ISBN 365650752X. [34][38]
  • The Association Between Vitamin D Status and Colon Cancer Risk: A Review and Synthesis. Munich: GRIN Publishing GmbH. 2013. ISBN 3656509883. [39][40]
  • Statistical Evaluation of Two Medical Databases: A Framework for Descriptive, Bivariate, and Multivariate Analyses. Munich: GRIN Publishing GmbH. 2013. ISBN 3656506884. [41][42]
  • The Dose-Response Relationship of Vitamin E and Lung Cancer Risk: Empirical and Mechanism-Based Models. Munich: GRIN Publishing GmbH. 2013. ISBN 3656507694. [43][44]
  • Under Haabets Skygge [Under the Shadow of Hope] (in Danish) (1st ed.). Norway: Ashtee & Tara. 2013. ISBN 9788299931809. [5]
  • Global Burden of Disease and Epidemiological Aspects: Plausible Scenarios of Burden of Infectious and Chronic Diseases and Two Population Pyramids. Munich: GRIN Publishing GmbH. 2011. ISBN 3656507112. [45][46]
  • Taras bok (1st ed.). Norway: Zagros Publishing. 2005. ISBN 9788292628003. [47]
  • Taras bog: En beretning fra Kurdistan [Taras book: A Story from Kurdistan] (in Danish) (1st ed.). Denmark: Forum. 2003. ISBN 87-553-3420-2. [11]
  • Master's Thesis II: A Comprehensive Assessment of Biological Function of Newly Sequenced yutK Gene in Basillus Subtilis. Munich: GRIN Publishing GmbH. 1999. ISBN 978-3-656-47467-8. [48]
  • Master's Thesis I: Function-Analysis of Seventeen Function-Unknown Genes in Bacillus Subtilis. Munich: GRIN Publishing GmbH. 1998. ISBN 978-3-656-46782-3. [49]

Humanitarian initiatives and peace and security efforts

  • In 2005, Akrawi began advocating for a UN resolution on a strong and an effective Arms Trade Treaty to prevent the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons that might be used for acts of genocide, crimes against humanity, or terrorism.[8]
  • In 2005, she joined a Danish campaign to require a prohibition against torture in the Danish Criminal Code.[50]
  • In 2005, through engaging with online discussions, blogging and other interactive techniques, she was able to create online bridges to Arabic speaking audiences by becoming part of online dialogue and debate. In 2006, the International Secretariat of Amnesty International praised her activities in support of Amnesty’s campaigns - the activities that were thought to have greatly boosted Amnesty's "chances of success.”[8]
  • In 2008, she joined the project "Stop Trafficking Worldwide", a campaign to stop human trafficking worldwide.[51][52]
  • In 2008, Akrawi joined an international campaign against Eid aerial firing.[53]
  • In March 2008, she joined the international campaign to end gender-based violence at gunpoint.[54]
  • In June 2010, she addressed the UN Fourth Biennial Meeting of States, in New York to consider the implementation of the Programme of Action to prevent, combat, and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects.[55] She shared her views on the importance of investing in a "Culture of Peace," expressing her concerns about the proliferation of illicit trade in SALW around the world, which has significantly intensified armed conflicts and made the proliferation of peace difficult to achieve. "Armed violence and peace cannot coexist. We need to overcome the challenges and seek practical solutions. We must replace the culture of war with the culture of peace," stated Akrawi.[18]
  • In February 2013, aiming to maintain the momentum created over the last seven years in favor of a strong and an effective Arms Trade Treaty, Akrawi called on UN negotiators of the Arms Trade Treaty to include a legally-binding provision to prevent armed gender-based violence. "We aim to provide new directions to assist in developing policy measures that counter the harmful impacts that illicit trade in small arms and light weapons have on vulnerable populations, especially on women and children" said Akrawi.[56]
  • In March 2013, she welcomed Kurdish leader call for cease-fire, urged the Turkish authorities not to waste this historic opportunity, and called on Scandinavian countries to take the lead in negotiating a peace deal in Turkey. "Today, we have a chance to make a difference, not only in the lives and future of the civilians witnessing these steps, but also in the lives of the generations yet to be born," expressed Akrawi.[57]
  • On the occasion of the World Refugee Day 2013, she underscored the significant contributions of resettled refugees to their new communities while expressing concern about the safety and well-being of all displaced populations. "Their challenges are many, but common for all refuges, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons is that they have either limited or no control over their own lives... Although the world is possibly facing the worst economic crisis in its history, we must not forget the plight of refugees around the world. The international community has a responsibility to protect the rights of vulnerable asylum seekers, refugees, and returnees. We call on Member States, humanitarian agencies, and other stakeholders involved in refugee protection to ensure high standards of protection for displaced persons in neighboring countries," said Akrawi.[58]
  • In October 2013, she emphasised the massive human cost of the prevailing crisis in Syria and underlined that the conflict has radically influenced regional security and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, making any global attempt to regulate the illicit trade in conventional weapons out of reach. “I have to admit that the sight of the refugees and their children has left me sleepless many nights. I am deeply saddened every time I see that people of all faiths who lived peacefully side by side are no longer tolerating each other. The brutality and misconduct they face daily is unimaginable… With their struggle to survive, comes all the horrible memories that will follow them for the rest of their lives…” added Akrawi. She characterised the crisis as a “humanitarian tragedy of historic proportions,” before urging the international community to do whatever possible to bring the crisis to an end in a peaceful and diplomatic manner.[59]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Statement by Dr. Widad Akrawi on the Occasion of The World Refugee Day 2013". Retrieved 29 June 2013. 
  2. ↑ "Widad Akrawi: Turkey Must Not Waste This Historic Opportunity for Peace". 
  3. ↑ "Widad Akrawi's Articles at Modern Discussion". 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Lobbyist Widad Akrawi interviewed for the Danish radio program "DR Syd/Fortælletimen"". 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Under Haabets Skygge". Retrieved 29 June 2013. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Taras Book at Booklovers(bokelskere.no)". Retrieved 22 November 2013. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Event: Human Rights in Iran". Retrieved 29 June 2013. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 "About Widad Akrawi - Widad’s Biography". Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Dr. Widad Akrawi Awarded For Bridging Gap Between Civilisations .". Retrieved 15 December 2013. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Widad Akrawi in Top 10 People Who Might Win A Nobel Peace Prize.". Retrieved 24 September 2013. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Taras bog, Akrawi, W.: Book review by Dr. Bente Danneskiold-Samsøe in the Danish Weekly Paper for Doctors". Retrieved 2013-05-23. 
  12. ↑ "About Defend International". Defend International. Retrieved 5 July 2013. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "2006 Amnesty Budget reviewed by EC". Retrieved 22 November 2013. 
  14. ↑ Highlights First Committee 2007
  15. ↑ "Campaigns at Defend International". Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  16. ↑ "Turkey: The Rights of Prisoners on Hunger Strike Must be Respected". Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  17. ↑ "Contact us - Dr. Widad Akrawi". Retrieved 22 November 2013. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "President of Defend International Dr. Widad Akrawi was one of the nine speakers at this platform, sharing her views on "Culture of Peace."". Defend International. Retrieved 29June 2010. 
  19. ↑ "WIDAD AKRAWI, of Defend International said that peace lay at the core of the Programme of Action". General Assembly. Retrieved 17June 2010. 
  20. ↑ "M. WIDAD AKRAWI, DefendInternational a souhaité que l’humanité remplace la culture de guerre par une culture de la paix". General Assembly. Retrieved 17June 2010. 
  21. ↑ "Defend International, Widad Akrawi, "Culture of Peace"". Reaching Critical Will. Retrieved 19June 2010. 
  22. ↑ "En tanto, la irakí Widad Akrawi, advirtió en la sede de las Naciones Unidas que "un elemento indispensable para alcanzar la paz es controlar las armas pequeñas, es decir, implementar el Programa de Acción" creado por los países para tal fin". mdzol.com. Retrieved 20June 2010. 
  23. ↑ "President of Defend International Widad Akrawi attended the General Assembly meetings as an observer". Defend International. Retrieved 24 June 2010. 
  24. ↑ "List of approved observers to the Informal Interactive Hearings of the General Assembly with Non-governmental organizations, Civil society organizations and the Private sector". The United Nations. Retrieved 29June 2013. 
  25. ↑ "DI joins other NGOs in the 1st Committee of the 64th Session of the UNGA". Retrieved 2013-11-02. 
  26. ↑ "NY: NGO Presentation to the UN First Committee 2008". Retrieved 2013-11-02. 
  27. ↑ "Defend International was accredited to participate in the UN Third Biennial Meeting of States". Retrieved 2013-11-02. 
  28. ↑ "Defend International participated in the 52nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women". Retrieved 2013-11-02. 
  29. ↑ "International Women’s Day and Disarmament". Retrieved 2013-11-02. 
  30. ↑ "NY: DI President Dr. Widad Akrawi at the UN 62nd General Assembly". Retrieved 2013-11-22. 
  31. ↑ "Dr. Akrawi's Biography". Retrieved 2013-11-02. 
  32. ↑ "Widad Akrawi lobbying for an Arms Trade Treaty at UN First Committee". Retrieved 2013-11-02. 
  33. ↑ "Velkommen til Europas Kvinders Pris i Danmark". Retrieved 2013-11-02. 
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 "Dr. Akrawi's Publication on Cervical Cancer at Amazon.com". 
  35. ↑ ÇáÍÏø ãä ÇáÃÓáÍÉ
  36. ↑ الحد من الأسلحة (in Arabic)
  37. ↑ "Medical Books by Dr. Akrawi". 
  38. ↑ "Dr. Akrawi's Publication on Cervical Cancer at Grin.com". 
  39. ↑ "Dr. Akrawi's Publication on Colon Cancer at Amazon.com". 
  40. ↑ "Dr. Akrawi's Publication on Colon Cancer at Grin.com". 
  41. ↑ "Dr. Akrawi's Publication on Medical Databases at Amazon.com". 
  42. ↑ "Dr. Akrawi's Publication on Medical Databases at Grin.com". 
  43. ↑ "Dr. Akrawi's Publication on Lung Cancer at Amazon.com". 
  44. ↑ "Dr. Akrawi's Publication on Lung Cancer at Grin.com". 
  45. ↑ "Dr. Akrawi's Publication on Global Burden of Disease and Epidemiology at Amazon.com". 
  46. ↑ "Dr. Akrawi's Publication on Global Burden of Disease and Epidemiology at Grin.com". 
  47. ↑ "Taras Book at Booklovers(bokelskere.no)". 
  48. ↑ "Dr. Akrawi's Master's Thesis II at Amazon.com". 
  49. ↑ "Dr. Akrawi's Master's Thesis I at Amazon.com". 
  50. ↑ "145,000 signatures supporting a prohibition against torture in the Danish Criminal Code". Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
  51. ↑ "Stop Trafficking Worldwide". Women Of Europe Award. Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
  52. ↑ "Stop Trafficking Worldwide (Europas Kvinders Pris)". 
  53. ↑ "Children kill two during Eid aerial firing tragedy". Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
  54. ↑ "Keep women safe from guns". Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
  55. ↑ "Widad Akrawi speech at the UN BMS 2010". Retrieved 2010-06-29. 
  56. ↑ "President of Defend International Widad Akrawi Calls for a Legally-Binding Provision on Preventing Armed Gender-Based Violence in the ATT". Retrieved 2013-05-23. 
  57. ↑ "President of Defend International Widad Akrawi Urges Turkey Not to Waste This Historic Opportunity for Peace". Retrieved 2013-05-23. 
  58. ↑ "Dr. Akrawi Marks World Refugee Day 2013". Retrieved 2013-11-02. 
  59. ↑ "Dr. Akrawi Advocates for Peaceful Solution to Syrian Conflict". Retrieved 2013-11-02. 

External links

Authority control
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.