Voix des Femmes Sans Frontières
3-4 May, 2025 in Erbil, Kurdistan - Iraq
VFSF - 1st Edition
An intersection of Women's Voices:
Human Rights, Climate Change, and AI
The first international forum, Voix des Femmes Sans Frontières - #VFSFFORUM1, Women's Voices Without Borders is bringing together 60 women voices from the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe for two days of awareness-raising, training, and networking.
Presentation
Under the impact of economic inequalities, geopolitical tensions, and environmental upheavals, humanitarian and social crises, as well as armed conflicts, are multiplying.This instability further excludes women from public, media, and political spaces, where their voices are increasingly marginalised or completely ignored.
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Women journalists and activists in conflict and post-conflict zones face multiple violations in both their social and professional environments. Yet, they continue to document and defend human rights, peace, and climate transition—often at the risk of their lives.
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It is in this context that the Voix des Femmes Sans Frontières - VFSF (Women’s Voices Without Borders) initiative was created, with the aim of amplifying the voices of committed women by fostering international, intergenerational, secular, and apolitical dialogue. Through education, protection, and networking initiatives, VFSF contributes to the professional empowerment of these women, strengthens their place in society, defends their rights, and amplifies their voices.
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The first international edition of the VFSF Forum, The initiative of the AHJ NGO organised in Erbil with the support of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will bring together 60 women from MENA and Europe for two days of awareness-raising, capacity-building, and international dialogue.
🎤 Key Formats:
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Grand Debates: Human rights, media freedom, feminist journalism, climate and AI
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Live Podcasts: Real-time voices and testimonies from the region
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Masterclass: Gender and climate justice in Iraq
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Networking Spaces: For civil society, media professionals, and students
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Creative Closing: Awards & restitution concert by women artists
Forum Programme Overview
May 3rd 2025​
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By representatives of the French Government, the Kurdistan Regional Government & Aide Humanitaire et Journalisme AHJ.
With the special video message of: Oleksandra MATVIICHUK, 2022 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Director of the Center for Civil Liberties & Thibaut BRUTTIN, Director General of Reporters Without Borders. As well as Catherine CORM-KAMMOUN, French Ambassador in Yemen (pre-recorded video).
In war zones, ethical and human issues related to media coverage are crucial. Whether in Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, or Yemen, female journalists face immense challenges in continuing to document the realities of their war-torn countries. They navigate partisan pressures and constant threats of being silenced. How do women journalists maintain their independent work in these four conflict contexts (Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, Syria), marked by increasing radicalisation and repeated obstacles to their profession? What means can be provided to ensure their freedom of expression and their role in truth-telling?
Moderator: Lucie FEUTRIER-COOK - Vice President of Aide Humanitaire et Journalisme
Speakers: Acil TABBARA, Agency France Press Lebanon and Syria Bureau Chief - Lebanon / Wedad AL BADAWI, Human Rights Expert Journalist - Yemen / Hadil ARJA, Journalist, Founder of the website "Tiny Hand," and Co-founder and Senior Editor of Frontline in Focus - Syria / Munia DWEIK, Palestine Office Manager at Roya TV - Palestine
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After a decade of conflict and half a century of dictatorship, Syria faces immense reconstruction challenges. These crises have deepened gender inequalities, pushing women's rights into the background. The humanitarian situation remains alarming: women endure relentless attacks, forced displacement, and severe deprivation. While many hoped for change following the regime’s downfall, the future remains uncertain. Despite promises of inclusivity and respect for women’s rights, the absence of concrete guarantees and a climate of scepticism raise serious concerns.
In this context, Syrian female journalists and activists continue their fight for their freedoms. They demand a central role in the post-conflict democratic transition and advocate actively for women's rights, calling for a just and lasting peace agreement that fully integrates female voices.
This debate will provide a space for Syrian female journalists and young activists from different regions to analyse their situation and explore the role of journalism in Syria’s reconstruction and in amplifying women's voices.
Moderator: Acil TABBARA, Agence France Press Lebanon and Syria Bureau Chief
Storytellers: Lina CHAWAF, Senior journalist - CEO of Rozana FM (Video), Sevda AYO, Researcher at Tazer - Synergy Center
Eva BERKEL, Freelance Journalist, Field Correspondent, War reporter - Kobane.
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Panelists: Zeina SHAHLA, Journalist, Editor, and Researcher with a primary focus on culture and with a strong focus on the intersections between human rights, the environment - Damascus. Maria HANNA, Head of Syriac Press, a news agency covering stories related to the Syriac, Assyrian, and Christian communities, as well as global affairs. Aria HAJI, Journalist and civil society activist, trainer in gender-sensitive journalism, dialogue facilitation, and mobile journalism. Executive Director of NextStory. Raghad
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​​Conflicts exacerbate violence against women and girls, leading to a regression in their rights, while impunity and lack of resources hinder justice and equality. Women remain largely excluded from decision-making on conflict prevention, peace, and reconstruction, despite their right to full, equal, and meaningful participation. Given this reality, what strategies and concrete actions can be taken to uphold women's rights in conflict and post-conflict zones? How can existing international conventions be enforced to combat violence, ensure justice, and promote equality? How can women's participation be increased to secure their rightful place in peacebuilding, security, and stabilisation efforts in their countries?
We are also honoured to include a testimonial by Dr. Nagham Hassan, CEO of Women Hope Makers NGO, Laureate of Marianne Initiative who will share her insights on the situation of Yazidi women and children who survived Daesh captivity, shedding light on their resilience, their ongoing challenges, and the urgent need for justice and protection.
Moderator: Frances GUY - President, Aide Humanitaire et Journalisme
Speakers: Isabelle ROME, Ambassador for Human Rights at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs - France / Françoise BRIE, President of the NGO Women Without Violence - France / Idah MUEMA, Gender Advisor at the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq - Iraq / Celine BARDET, Founder of the NGO We Are NOT Weapons Of War - France.
VFSF LIVE VODCAST SESSIONS​
14:30 - 17:30
Vodcast with Tanya Gilly Khailany, Vice President and Co-Founder of SEED Kurdistan
Forum Program Overview
May 4th 2025
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​As AI, often developed without real consideration for gender issues, perpetuates algorithmic biases, fuels disinformation and presents ethical challenges for journalists and activists, how can women take ownership of this tool, shape it to their advantage, and use it to enhance their security and influence in the media sphere? How can we ensure AI is more equitable and inclusive, avoiding gender stereotypes while protecting diversity of voices? How to prevent and react to AI cyberattacks targeting women journalists and what are the evolutions in the protection framework and potential resources to counter this growing phenomenon? Additionally, given AI's growing environmental footprint, what challenges and solutions exist for a more responsible and sustainable use?
Moderator: Lucie FEUTRIER-COOK - Vice President of Aide Humanitaire et Journalisme
Speakers: Chloé GOUPILLE, Secretary General of the Summit for Action on Artificial Intelligence - France (pre-recorded video) / Ciara NOON: Business and Project Development Lead at Siren Analytics, presenting the DALIL platform showcased by the Paris Peace Forum, an automated fact-checking platform based on artificial intelligence / Jessica CHEMALI, Senior AI Expert at Siren Analytics / Shanley CLEMOT MCLAREN, Feminist activist against cybersexism, Global expert on the Gender and Digital Nexus ; Young activist of the year 2025 by UN Geneva, and Founder of #StopFisha
This session will highlight the work of AHJ in supporting the Young generation from conflict and post-conflict areas. Through the Women Voices Without Borders (VFSF) initiative, AHJ fosters a form of creative and independent female entrepreneurship that is both powerful and deeply rooted in human rights advocacy.
The focus will be on an innovative training programme that enables participants to take full control of podcast and vodcast production — from concept to broadcast. Women choose their own topics, tackling issues such as human rights, climate justice, and social inequality.
With new technical skills, they become independent media producers, able to shape and share their own narratives in the public space. Beyond the technical aspect, this is a genuine process of empowerment: women claim their place, assert their voices, and represent a new generation of storytellers. Their productions contribute to building more inclusive narratives and to the stabilisation of societies through the promotion of gender-inclusive governance and peacebuilding.
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Moderator: Shayda HESSAMI - Executive Director of Aide Humanitaire et Journalisme
Speakers:
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Ahmed NATIQ, Trainer at Aide Humanitaire et Journalisme and sound engineer
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Sahar MOUKADDEM, Regional Manager of Aide Humanitaire et Journalisme
With the participation of VFSF Iraq Lauréates Mariam JENAN and Jawahir OMER
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Voix des Femmes Sans Frontières Initiative in Yemen – An Emerging and Promising Innovative Response
Presentation, analysis and results of the VFSF initiative in Yemen
Yemen is one of the countries where media space and women's rights are the most restricted due to the prolonged conflict, sociopolitical pressures, and security risks. Yet, many young women journalists and activists working on human rights, gender equality, and climate change are eager to make their voices heard despite threats and obstacles. This roundtable will analyze how VFSF supports these women, facilitates their professional integration, and contributes to a more inclusive and resilient media landscape.
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Moderator: Sahar MOUKADDEM, Regional Manager of Aide Humanitaire et Journalisme
Speakers, Léa GIFFARD, French Embassy in Yemen (online). Diane DURAND, International Programme Manager of Aide Humanitaire et Journalisme. Nuha ABDULLAH, Country Director of Aide Humanitaire et Journalisme in Yemen, With the participation of VFSF Yemen Lauréates Arwa & Kamilya & Eshrak
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As climate change increasingly affects the MENA region—one of the world's most vulnerable—women are among the most impacted. They face rising domestic and sexual violence, are forced to drop out of school prematurely, and, as their lands become barren, are pushed into climate-induced displacement, struggling to support their families. Furthermore, armed conflicts and pollution caused by wars, as well as irresponsible oil exploitation, worsen their situation.This master class aims to equip journalists to conduct in-depth investigations into the impact of climate change on women in the MENA region.
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By Hanene Zbiss, journalist and expert in investigative journalism on gender and environmental issues. Expert member of AHJ and trainer for VFSF Iraq and Yemen.
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What is the impact of climate change on the environment and women in Iraq? How are these issues covered by the media? Through investigations conducted in various regions, the laureates of the VFSF Iraq 2 investigative journalism training on climate and environmental issues will present the consequences of the climate crisis and human activities on local populations.
Moderators: Hanene ZBISS
Presentation of six investigations produced by the laureates of VFSF Iraq 2, analyzing the effects of climate change on different regions of Iraq. These investigations cover the specific challenges faced in Kurdistan, Baghdad, Maysan, Karbala, and Diyala.
With the participation of women journalists laureates of VFSF in Iraq.
VFSF LIVE VODCAST SESSIONS​
10:30 - 12:30 and 14:30 to 17:30
With the speakers of VFSF
Closing Event
Erbil International Garden
20:00 - 22:30
By Invitation ONLY!
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VFSF awards for best investigative reports and podcasts produced by VFSF laureates;
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Closing remarks by MEAE-KRG representatives;
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Recommendations and conclusion by AHJ;
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VFSF Concert
VFSF Concert
20:30 - 22:00
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​Strongly committed to amplifying women’s voices in all their forms, AHJ is organising a five-day training in electronic music production as part of the VFSF Forum #1, dedicated to local and refugee women artists and musicians based in Erbil.
This hands-on training aims to equip participants — entrepreneurial artists — with the professional skills needed to create electronic music. By enhancing their creative and technical autonomy, it enables them to transform personal experiences from crisis zones into powerful musical compositions, offering a new form of artistic advocacy.
In parallel, the artists will work closely with AHJ to co-create the audio identity of VFSF, which will be featured in future media productions (podcasts, vodcasts, etc.). At the end of the training, the artists will perform live during the Forum’s closing evening, sharing an emotionally charged performance that highlights their resilience and creativity. This public event will raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by women artists in times of crisis, while promoting gender equality and diversity in a field still largely dominated by men.
By focusing on creativity, technical independence, and cultural entrepreneurship, VFSF supports the empowerment of women artists, encourages their economic and cultural inclusion, and contributes to building a more equal artistic space — one that fosters peace and social transformation in Kurdistan Region.
Presented by : Olympe400 (Oriane DESSAUX) Trainer and Artist
With the participation of six artistes laureates of VFSF
Partners
The first international edition of the Voix des Femmes Sans Frontières (VFSF) Forum is an initiative of Aide Humanitaire et Journalisme (AHJ), Organized with the financial support of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
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RUDAW Media Network is our official media partner.
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The Forum has also received financial and logistical support from:
Fondation RAJA, UNDP Syria, Paris Peace Forum, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Framing, and the Tazer Association for Victims, among others.​
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