Nadia's Initiative

S.H.A.P.E. Week will conclude with a capstone event in Page Auditorium on Sunday, February 9, 2020 from 5:30-6:30PM. Our keynote speaker will be 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and human rights activist Nadia Murad. This event will spotlight the achievements of Nadia's Initiative, her global non-profit organization that rebuilds communities in crisis and advocates for survivors of sexual violence. Her capstone role at the end of S.H.A.P.E. Week will not only build momentum for our campaign and its events, but will effectively connect the whole Duke community around her global message and important work.

Providing platforms to those like Nadia Murad who bravely share their stories and activism,

like Nadia Murad, is a step in the right direction to tackling sexual violence prevention and awareness.

NADIA MURAD

Founder and President of Nadia's Initiative

Nadia Murad, co-recipient of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize is a leading advocate for survivors of genocide and sexual violence. Nadia’s peaceful life was brutally interrupted in 2014 when ISIS attacked her homeland in Sinjar - to ethnically cleanse Iraq of all Yazidis. 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.

Much of Murad’s advocacy work is focused on meeting with global leaders to raise awareness of ISIS and its genocidal campaign against the Yazidi people. Nadia is the President and Chairwoman of Nadia’s Initiative, which actively works to persuade governments and international organizations to support the sustainable redevelopment of the Yazidi homeland.

Awards and Honors

Nadia is also the Co-Founder of the Global Fund for Survivors of Conflict Related Sexual Violence. In 2016, Nadia became the first Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking of the United Nations. That year she was also awarded the Council of Europe Václav Havel Award for Human Rights and Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. In 2018, she won the Nobel Peace Prize with Dr. Denis Mukwege. In her capacity as a member of France’s Gender Advisory Board, Nadia advocates G7 member states to adopt legislation that protects and promotes women’s rights. Nadia and the Nadia’s Initiative team were instrumental in drafting and advocating for the passing of UN Security Council Resolution 2467, which expands the UN's commitments to end sexual violence in conflict.

ABID SHAMDEEN

Executive Director

Abid Shamdeen is a global development specialist. Shamdeen was born and raised in Sinjar, Iraq. For the past five years, he has advocated for victims of the Yazidi genocide and has managed projects that have brought aid and assistance to internally displaced Yazidis in Iraq. Shamdeen worked for the United States Army in Iraq as a cultural advisor and translator. He has an MA in political science from the School of International Service at American University. Shamdeen is a co-founder of Nadia’s Initiative.

OLIVIA WELLS

Director of Programs

Olivia Wells is a human rights advocate with a master’s degree in human rights law. Her expertise is in women’s rights, international criminal law, and genocide prevention with a regional focus on the Middle East. Over the past six years, she has worked with several European and American NGOs, conducting policy research, promoting civic mobilization, managing donor relations, and establishing and maintaining partnerships. She has worked on the ground with marginalized communities in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Southern Africa to help implement community led development. She has also worked with refugee aid programs in Southern Europe and is responsible for initiating several psychological support projects for refugees in Athens, Greece.