On Monday, September 8, 2025, the GESC, in cooperation with Better World Organization, organized a seminar titled How to Conduct Interviews as part of the “Voices for Peace” project. The seminar was held at the Beshikji Center Hall at the University of Duhok and was delivered by Mr. Zeravan Ameen. The seminar was designed for the beneficiaries of this project.
University of Duhok’s Center for Gender Equality Studies Organizes Awareness Course on Equity and Sustainable Development
The GESC at the University of Duhok, in collaboration with the American Corner–Duhok, organized a comprehensive six-day awareness course on equity and sustainable development from November 12 to 27, 2023. The sessions were held every Sunday and Monday at the American Corner headquarters at the University of Duhok, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Course Objectives and Key Topics
The program was designed to raise awareness about the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment in society. The course covered several key topics presented by distinguished professors and experts from the University of Duhok, including:
- Effective communication between genders and the promotion of mutual respect.
- United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security.
- Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.
- Women’s active participation in leadership, negotiations, and economic development.
Participants and Discussion Sessions
The course witnessed broad participation from students representing various colleges and academic disciplines across the university. The discussions were facilitated by a distinguished group of speakers, including experts from the University’s Department of Peace and Human Rights, members of the American Corner–Duhok, as well as respected academic staff. The sessions focused on equipping participants with the necessary skills to overcome challenges faced by women in leadership positions and to enhance understanding of international cooperation mechanisms for achieving gender equality.
Outcomes and Recommendations
The program ended with participants gaining a better understanding and practical ideas to support women’s issues. The University of Duhok praised all participants for their commitment to promoting equality and sustainable development. It also expressed confidence that the knowledge and connections gained during the course will have a positive and lasting effect inside and outside the university.
On Monday, August 11, 2025, at the Cultural and Social Center of the University of Duhok, the GESC, in cooperation with Better World Organization, launched their joint project titled: Voices for Peace: Amplifying Young People’s Leadership from Duhok in the WPS Agenda (Voices for Peace: Strengthening youth leadership from Duhok in the Women, Peace and Security agenda).
As part of the project, a series of seminars were delivered by professors from the University of Duhok, which lasted for nine days. The program also included several focus groups and different activities in various colleges of the University of Duhok, carried out by the project participants.
On Monday, September 8, 2025, the GESC, in cooperation with Better World Organization, organized a seminar titled How to Conduct Interviews as part of the “Voices for Peace” project. The seminar was held at the Beshikji Center Hall at the University of Duhok and was delivered by Mr. Zeravan Ameen. The seminar was designed for the beneficiaries of this project.
On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the GESC, in cooperation with Better World Organizatin, organized a seminar titled An Overview of Resolution 1325: Women, Peace, and Security as part of the “Voices for Peace” project. The seminar was held at the Beshikji Center Hall at the University of Duhok and was delivered by Lecturer Ms. Dileen Sardar Zuhdi. It was designed for the beneficiaries of the project.
On Sunday, September 14, 2025, the GESC, in cooperation with Better World Organization, organized a seminar titled How to Practically Conduct Interviews as part of the “Voices for Peace” project. The seminar was held at the Beshikji Center Hall at the University of Duhok and was delivered by Mr. Zeravan Ameen. It was designed for the beneficiaries of the project.
On Monday, October 13, 2025, the GESC, in cooperation with Better World Organization, organized a seminar titled Data Collection Procedures as part of the “Voices for Peace” project. The seminar was held at the Beshikji Center Hall at the University of Duhok and was delivered by Mr. Zeravan Ameen. It was designed for the beneficiaries of the project.
On Tuesday, November 3, 2025, the GESC, in coordination with Better World Organization and in cooperation with the Department of Sociology at the College of Humanities, held the first focus group sessions as part of the “Voices for Peace” project. The session discussed United Nations Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), with the participation of students from the aforementioned department.
On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, the GESC, in coordination with Better World Organization and in cooperation with the Department of Peace Studies and Human Rights at the College of Humanities, held the second focus group session as part of the “Voices for Peace” project. The session discussed United Nations Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), with the participation of students from that the department.
On Sunday, November 16, 2025, the GESC, in coordination with Better World Organization and in cooperation with the College of Urban Planning and Regional Planning at the University of Duhok, held the third focus group session as part of the “Voices for Peace” project. The session discussed United Nations Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), with the participation of students from the aforementioned college.
On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the GESC, in coordination with Better World Organization and in cooperation with the Psychological and Social Counseling and Student Services Center at the University of Duhok, held the fourth focus group session as part of the “Voices for Peace” project. The session discussed United Nations Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), with the participation of students from the University of Duhok.
On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, the GESC, in coordination with Better World Organization and in cooperation with the College of Education – Department of Special Education at the University of Duhok, held the fifth focus group session as part of the “Voices for Peace” project. The session discussed United Nations Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), with the participation of students from the college of Basic Education.
On Sunday, November 30, 2025, the GESC, in coordination with Better World Organization and in cooperation with the College of Administration and Economics at the University of Duhok, held the sixth focus group session as part of the “Voices for Peace” project. The session discussed United Nations Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), with the participation of students from the aforementioned college.
On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, the GESC, in coordination with Better World Organization and in cooperation with the College of Political Science at the University of Duhok, held the seventh focus group session as part of the “Voices for Peace” project. The session discussed United Nations Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), with the participation of students from the college of Political Science.
On Sunday, January 18, 2026, the GESC, in coordination with Better World Organization and in cooperation with the College of Medicine at the University of Duhok, held the ninth focus group session as part of the “Voices for Peace” project. The session discussed United Nations Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), with the participation of students from the aforementioned college.
