UN Special Advisor on Genocide and UNITAD chief visit FYF Enterprise Center
FYF was absolutely delighted to host the UN Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide, Ms. Alice Nderitu, Head of UNITAD Mr. Christian Ritscher, and the accompanying delegation at FYF’s Enterprise & Training Center and Sugar is Sweet bakery and cafe.
These initiatives are entirely run by Yezidi women to provide them with space, knowledge, and experience to develop viable economic tools and financially help support their families while also empowering other women and girls.
During the visit, the UN officials reviewed crucial topics, including the aftermath of the Yezidi Genocide, the current state of mass graves, ongoing prejudice against Yezidis and their root causes, and the situation of the thousands of displaced Yezidis. FYF emphasized the importance of Yezidi-led efforts, including business and enterprise, as well as FYF efforts to advance justice and accountability through the FYF justice program.
Members of the UN delegation observed the artisans and staff members in the center, praising the initiative and offering support for community-led initiatives to assist in rebuilding and developing the community. They also noted the leadership of women in the center. The delegation complimented FYF bakery staff members on the drinks and hand-crafted sweets, and commented on the foward-looking aspect of the initiative when hearing about prejudice by some in Iraq against eating Yezidi-made products.
FYF’s bakery is open to everyone, including Iraqi and Kurdish community members and international guests of all ethnicities and religions, so long as Yezidis are treated with respect as equals. FYF expressed its gratitude to the two senior officials for their moral support and for purchasing a number of hand-crafted items from Yezidi artisans.
