This paper reports on the educational narratives of a group of young women from Iraq who were internally displaced to Kurdistan and other regions of Iraq following the 2014 ISIS invasion of Mosul and the Nineveh Plain. The participants, aged between 18 and 28, and from diverse cultural backgrounds, including Yazidi, Shabak, Christian, and Sunni Arab, shared their stories of displacement and educational experiences amid complex political, socioeconomic, cultural, and traditional contexts during and after the ISIS invasion of their cities and villages. Their narratives detailed the factors that facilitated or hindered access to formal and non-formal educational opportunities. Drawing on data gathered from repeated individual interviews, their life histories were co-constructed and interpreted through the lens of social justice as parity of participation (Fraser, 2008). The accounts provided insights into how the women perceived social justice in relation to their education. Influenced by their varied life paths, socioeconomic backgrounds, and educational affiliations, the young women’s perspectives also explored the role of education in advancing or impeding sustainable peacebuilding in Iraq. The significance of this work lies in recognising the voices of women whose educational experiences have often been overlooked in conflict-affected settings. By amplifying and centring their perspectives, the research provides important insights into their educational experiences and perceptions on social justice, with the aim of informing local and international educational efforts that support women impacted by conflict in challenging social injustices, overcoming barriers to pursuing their educational goals, and contributing to sustainable peacebuilding in and through education.

Authors:
Jumana Al-Waeli, Ulster University, United Kingdom

About the Presenter(s)
Jumana Al-Waeli; BA Postdoctoral Research Fellow; Current project: the educational experiences of young women displaced by the 2014 ISIS invasion in Iraq.
Sociology of Education; Social Justice; critical Pedagogy; conflict and refugee studies.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jumana-al-waeli

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