Zahra: Empowering youth through vocational work in Chamchamal

In Chamchamal, a town in the Kurdish region of Iraq, Zahra Hasan is more than just a language teacher—she’s a campaigner and advocate for youth empowerment. A graduate from the College of Language and Humanitarian Sciences, Zahra teaches Arabic and English, but her involvement in the Networks of Change (NoC) programme has given her the opportunity to make an even greater impact on her community.

In 2023, Zahra joined Networks of Change, an initiative designed to build resilience and trust among Kurdish youth by equipping them with essential skills and encouraging them to participate in social, economic, and political life. As part of this programme, Zahra became a campaigner for the Don’t Go, Fix It campaign, an initiative aimed at reducing illegal immigration by encouraging young people to stay and build careers within Iraq.

Reflecting on her role in the campaign, Zahra says, “The Don’t Go, Fix It campaign was a fantastic opportunity to encourage young people not to immigrate illegally. Instead, we guided them towards vocational careers, offering several awareness sessions and vocational courses to help them develop valuable skills.”

For Zahra, the Networks of Change programme offered much more than the chance to help others—it was also a platform for her own personal growth. Throughout the campaign, she developed a range of new skills, from creating and managing campaigns to improving her teamwork and time management abilities.

“Fortunately, I learned a lot of unique skills during the campaign,” she explains. “One of the biggest lessons for me was learning how to work under pressure. Before the programme, I struggled with this, but now I can happily do my job even when things get stressful.”

Connecting diverse communities

One of the most rewarding aspects of Zahra’s experience was the opportunity to interact with people from different parts of the Kurdish region. Although she is from Chamchamal, her involvement in the campaign allowed her to connect with individuals from Halabja and Ranya—two areas with their own distinct cultural backgrounds.

“Through this campaign, I was able to get into interaction with people from Halabja and Ranya,” Zahra says. “This helped me engage with two different communities within my own country, and it was one of the most beneficial aspects of the programme for me. It helped me expand my network of contacts, which was one of the biggest achievements of the campaign.”

For Zahra, building connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds not only broadened her perspective but also enriched her professional life. The experience of interacting with different communities and working on collaborative projects has strengthened her ability to understand and navigate the cultural nuances within her own country.

Choosing to stay and develop her community

Like many young people in Iraq, Zahra had considered the possibility of leaving her hometown in search of opportunities abroad. However, her participation in the Networks of Change programme has given her the confidence and inspiration to stay and invest in the development of her own community.

Zahra’s journey reflects the central message of the Don’t Go, Fix It campaign—that success and fulfilment can be found at home, and that young people have the power to create positive change within their own communities. Her work with NoC is not only helping to reduce the trend of illegal immigration but also inspiring other young people to consider the opportunities available to them in Iraq.

As Zahra looks to the future, she is excited about the possibilities for both herself and the youth of Chamchamal. With the skills and experiences she gained from the Networks of Change programme, she is ready to continue her work as a teacher and advocate for youth empowerment. By staying in her hometown and investing in her community, Zahra is proving that positive change starts from within, and that young people like her have the power to shape the future of Iraq.