Recommendations to transform NADA Alliance into influential regional platform

Today marked the continuation of the third and final day of the first NADA Alliance Conference held in Sulaymaniyah, where the first session was titled “The Performance of the NADA Alliance.”

The session opened with the screening of a documentary film that chronicled the most significant milestones of the alliance’s work from 2013 to 2025, beginning with the regional women’s conference in North Kurdistan, followed by a series of conferences and events, and culminating in the official establishment of the NADA Alliance and the convening of its first conference in Sulaymaniyah.

The session was moderated by Dr. Angela Al-Maamari, Dr. Heba Haddadin, and a member of the African Union’s Women, Peace, and Security Committee (FemWise-Africa).

Comprehensive report on performance and challenges

During the session, a comprehensive report was presented on the alliance’s performance over the past years. It addressed the general political contexts that impacted NADA’s work, including the targeting of democratic forces and women, and the role of political Islam in perpetuating violence against women through patriarchal fatwas and rhetoric.

The report highlighted key challenges facing the women’s movement, such as the rise of right-wing and populist policies hostile to women, the influence of civil society organizations and institutions funded by churches and mosques, and the lack of coordination among women's networks, which makes confronting patriarchal policies more difficult.

Review of the alliance’s journey and achievements

The report also delved into the background of NADA’s founding, beginning with the first conference held in the city of Amed, which laid an important foundation for the official launch of the alliance. The organizational structure of the alliance after its founding conference was reviewed, along with its expansion through the inclusion of women’s alliances from several countries.

Additionally, the session evaluated the overall activities accomplished by the alliance in the Middle East in support of women and their revolutions, and in defending their rights, especially in countries such as Iran, Syria, Palestine, and Iraq. The media performance was also reviewed, with preparations underway to improve communication and outreach tools.

Extensive discussions and recommendations by members

At the end of the session, the floor was opened for discussion among participating members. There was strong emphasis on the need to enhance media presence and digital promotion, considering virtual spaces as effective tools for expanding the support base and increasing impact.

Recommendations also included the necessity of officially registering the NADA Alliance in member states to provide legal legitimacy to its work and to facilitate the protection of activists and involved entities.

Speakers stressed that the alliance should serve as a powerful platform to bring women’s struggles to international forums and to defend human rights defenders, especially in countries where activists face legal persecution and threats, such as Iraq.

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ANHA