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Empowering Iraqi Women: A Graduation Approach to Sustainable Livelihoods
"My goal is to offer a safe space for women where they can not only improve their physical health but also access psychosocial support and learn new skills."
At 26, Ghufran Hassan is a proud founder of a women’s physical training and wellness centre in Mosul, where she offers women physical training, psychosocial support, sewing classes, and childcare – helping them grow both personally and professionally.
Gufran is one of 101 women, all heads of households, who launched their businesses – her wellness centre among them – through the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Graduation Approach (GA) Programme, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and KfW Development Bank. This unique initiative addresses multiple aspects of poverty and equips some of the most vulnerable families with the tools and resources to build sustainable livelihoods.
"The support I received helped me understand how to manage finances, market my services, and expand my business. I faced challenges, but with every setback, I took ten steps forward," shared Ghufran.
The GA programme has not only supported the families to gain financial stability, but has also helped them rebuild their confidence, develop business skills, and restore hope. For many of these women, the journey to self-sufficiency has been challenging, but their resilience has enabled them to overcome social and economic barriers.
For Wassan Fowzi, a single mother of three, the programme was a turning point that allowed her to rebuild her life after displacement. Starting over, Wassan drew on her previous experience in the cosmetics industry to open her own shop. "This programme gave me more than just financial support; it gave me the confidence to rebuild my life and create a stable future for my children. It's not just about starting a business; it's about building a foundation for lasting change."
Wassan’s shop is now a thriving business, popular among women in her community. She plans to expand it to employ women who are in challenging situations and help them gain financial independence and confidence, just as she did.
Recently, the women gathered in Mosul to celebrate their successes in a graduation ceremony. It featured a bazaar-style event where graduates showcased their businesses – from tailoring services to small shops – giving visitors the chance to see the transformative impact of the GA programme firsthand.
As IOM’s GA programme continues to expand, women like Ghufran and Wassan are proving that through sequenced and targeted individual support, vulnerable female-headed households can overcome obstacles, lead their families, and uplift their communities.
The GA programme is funded by the German Development Bank (KfW) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and operates in multiple governorates, including Ninawa, Duhok, Kirkuk, and Anbar, helping women meet their families’ basic needs, create sustainable businesses, build resilience, and envision a future filled with possibilities.
