About the Team
Mission
The mission of the Kurdistan Women’s Global Alliance is to combat violence against women and promote microlevel peacebuilding in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq by empowering women and girls through the establishment of global and local mentorship networks, experiential learning, leadership training, community change workshops, and government lobbying.
Vision
Without peace for women, peace for the region cannot, and will not, be achieved.
Core Values
- Empowerment
- Resilience
- Mentorship
- Peacebuilding
Team
Erika Bak Schulten
Co-founderOrganization Co-founder and Executive Director Erika Bak Schulten holds a Master of Science in Global Affairs (Human Rights and International Law, with a specialization in combating gender-based violence) from the Center for Global Affairs at New York University (NYU). She first traveled to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) when she deployed in 2006 as a member of the US Air Force, conducting missions throughout Iraq. She experienced a deep connection with the Kurdish people and hoped to return to the region some day. That chance presented itself when, as a graduate researcher, she became a member of the Department of State-funded Joint Research Seminar in Peacebuilding between NYU and the University of Duhok in the KRI. Erika is a passionate advocate for combating gender-based violence around the world and promoting microlevel peacebuilding.
Shilan Shawkat Almahmada
Co-founder, member EmeritusOrganization Co-founder Shilan Shawkat Almahmada holds a Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Resolution from the Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution at the University of Duhok in the KRI. She is a distinguished member of both the first and second years of the Joint Research Seminar in Peacebuilding and a life-long KRI resident. She knows first-hand the realities facing women in the region and has dedicated her life to creating change so that future generations do not fall prey to continued cycles of past violence. She is a dedicated professional who has worked for many years in the court system to investigate cases of violence against women and is also a well-known peace lecturer. Shilan is highly respected and known for being fearless in the face of adversity, working tirelessly to bring offenders to justice. “Search for peace. Seek peace. Refuse to live without it.”
Seyma Kocher
Kurdistan Legal CounselBio coming soon.
Ikhlas Sabri Kocher
Kurdistan AccountantNalin Shawkat Taher
Program AssistantSipal Shawkat Rasheed
Program AssistantWANT TO BE OUR VOLUNTEER
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