Noor Center

Life in the camps is precarious, especially for women, who are often dependent on their male relatives. Lacking autonomy, these women are vulnerable to being pressed into arranged marriages or sold into sex trafficking across the Iranian border. Financial independence is critical: women who are able to support themselves have the power to determine their own futures. 

In partnership with SEED Livelihood, Heavenly Treasuers, Set Free Movement, International Child Care Ministries, and other partners, the Noor Center offers occupational training to women living in several camps around Erbil, Duhok, and Zakho cities.

The aim of this program is to enable at-risk women to be able to support themselves via home-based businesses. We achieve this in two ways. The first is by helping women use the skills and experience they already have – as a seamstress, hairstylists, or bakers, for example – to establish thriving micro-businesses in the camps. The second is by teaching women how to make goods and crafts that they can sell in the camp, in the local community, or online.

You can support these women on their path to independence. Donate to help fund these pieces of training or buy their products at SEED Market.

Are you an expert in microenterprise? Help us expand our training program and give more women the keys to autonomy!