Final Evaluation: Supporting survivors of family-based violence in rural and refugee communities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (Iraq)

Location: Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Grantee partner: Asuda Organization

Grant period: August 2022 – July 2025

Grant amount: $628,083

Authors/editors: Lara Saman

Evaluation year: 2026

From August 2022 to July 2025, Asuda Organization implemented the initiative "Supporting Survivors of Family-Based Violence in Rural and Refugee Communities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq” aimed at improving access to survivor‑centered legal and psychosocial support for women and girls while strengthening prevention and policy response mechanisms, focusing on refugee, asylum-seeking and rural groups. Activities included operating three Listening Centres and a mobile outreach team; capacity‑building training for service providers and community actors; youth‑led awareness initiatives; workshops for refugee men and boys; community group sessions; and sustained legal advocacy for reform of the Kurdistan Domestic Violence Law.

• 79% of survivors reported improved protection and coping abilities after accessing Asuda’s legal and psychosocial services.
• 82 service providers were trained, with around 80% demonstrating improved survivor‑centered case management skills.
• 82% of women and 74% of men engaged in community sessions reported enhanced understanding of gender equality and non‑violent communication.
• 1,200 awareness participants, of whom 80% showed improved understanding of women’s rights and 67% discussed these issues with their families, indicating community‑level attitude shifts.
• 81% of institutional stakeholders acted on Asuda’s legal reform recommendations, and the draft recommendations report for amending the Domestic Violence Law was endorsed by the Directorate for Combating Violence Against Women in early 2025, marking a significant step toward evidence‑based reform.

Continuation of UN Trust Fund support from previous cycles played a key role in strengthening trust with communities and institutions, enabling Asuda to scale services efficiently and build on established referral pathways. The evaluation concludes that the initiative delivered strong and contextually relevant results, improving access to survivor‑centered services while strengthening prevention, community engagement, and institutional responsiveness.

“I thought I had lost everything until I reached Asuda. I felt like I was speaking with a sister.” - Primary beneficiary, Key Informant Interview