As part of the project “Women’s Action for Peace,” Youth Bridge Organization conducted five workshops aimed at raising awareness and combating hate speech across various locations in Nineveh, including Sinjar Center, Sinuni Sub-district, Qairawan Sub-district, Til’afar District, and Mosul. These workshops targeted diverse community groups, including local NGOs, community leaders, women, youth, and local authorities, from different religious backgrounds fostering inclusive dialogue and collaborative action.
Minority communities in Iraq, particularly the Yezidi community, continue to face significant challenges, including daily discrimination and targeted hate speech. Over the past two years, the Yezidis have endured two organized hate speech campaigns that not only threaten their existence but also undermine peaceful coexistence within the broader Iraqi society. These campaigns exacerbate tensions, weaken social bonds, and hinder efforts toward reconciliation and integration.
In response, the Youth Bridge Organization launched these workshops as part of its commitment to building an inclusive and peaceful society. The sessions emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in combating hate speech and explored practical strategies for fostering tolerance, mutual respect, and coexistence. Participants were encouraged to share their experiences and insights, creating a platform for dialogue and collaboration to address the root causes of hate speech and its harmful effects on marginalized communities.
Through this initiative, Youth Bridge Organization highlights the need for sustained, joint efforts to counter discrimination and promote unity, ensuring that all communities in Iraq, regardless of ethnicity or religion, can thrive in a society grounded in justice, equality, and mutual understanding.
