page_title: Widad Akrawi
section_title: Status and membership
hierarchical_section_title: Widad Akrawi / Status and membership
caption_attribution_description: English: Dr. Widad Akreyi in 2010, UN headquarters in NY. Photo taken by Defend International.
context_page_description: Widad Akreyi is a health expert and human rights activist of Kurdish ancestry. She has co-founded the human rights organization Defend International and is the author of several books about both health issues and human rights.
  Akreyi holds a master's degree in genetics and a PhD in international health and epidemiology. Violations of human rights that occurred during the Iraqi government offensive against the Kurds in 1974, as well as during the Al-Anfal Campaign are thought to have shaped her life.
  She has been listed as one of the winners of the Fellowship of Reconciliation peace awards, where she was called "outspoken peace activist" and the "first young woman of Middle Eastern descent" to engage in advocacy relating to illicit trade of small arms and light weapons, gender-based violence, chemical and biological disarmament, conventional disarmament and international security.
  In 2013, Akreyi was awarded the "Special Prize for bridging the gap between civilisations" by the National Organisation for Future Generations for making valuable contributions to humanity through the creation of a culture of coexistence.
context_section_description: She is the first Kurd to be listed as International Pfeffer Peace Prize laureate.
  She has been awarded the 2013 ‘Special Prize’ by the National Organisation for Future Generations for being a passionate advocate of bridging the gap between civilisations and cultures, and making valuable contributions to humanity through the creation of a culture of coexistence and harmony.
  Supported the Universal Citizenship Passport initiative of the Organisation for Universal Citizenship
  Co-founder, Defend International.
  Defend International representative to the UN Fourth Biennial Meeting of States, held in New York to review the implementation of the Programme of Action to prevent, combat, and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects (14–18 June 2010).
  Defend International representative to the General Assembly Interactive Hearings with Non-governmental organizations, Civil society organizations and the Private sector. (UN Headquarters in NY, 14–15 June 2010).
  Defend International representative to the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security Committee) of the United Nations General Assembly (October 2009).
  Defend International representative to the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security Committee) of the United Nations General Assembly (October 2008).
  Defend International representative to the UN Third Biennial Meeting of States, held in New York to consider the implementation of the Programme of Action to prevent, combat, and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects (July 2008).
  Defend International representative to the 52nd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women held at United Nations Headquarters in New York (February to March 2008).
  Defend International representative to the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security Committee) of the UN General Assembly (October 2007).
  Defend International representative to Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.
  Amnesty International lobbyist to the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security Committee) of the UN General Assembly (October 2006).
  Advisor, Everywoman Everywhere Coalition, Harvard Kennedy School, USA (December 2014).
  Member of the board, Women of Europe Award.
  Member of the IANSA Women's Network Working Group.
  Member of Cluster Munition Coalition.
  Member of the board, Amnesty International (30 April 2006 – 18 June 2007).
  Ambassador for Amnesty International's Stop Torture campaign (9 February 2006 – 18 June 2007).
  Member of jury board, Amnesty International's Arabic Short Novel Competition (April 2006-June 2007).
  Establishment of a special blog for Amnesty's Control Arms Campaign (June 2006)
caption: Widad Akreyi addressing the United Nations Fourth Biennial Meeting of States held in June 2010 in New York.
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