Sixteen days. Sixteen stories about Her from my Diary. [Please note day 11 and 12 are only on the blog, not on Instagram] Day 13: Zin Zin was one of the first cases I came across in my career. A young girl, I do not recall her age, but in the very early twenties. She... Continue Reading →

Sixteen days. Sixteen stories about Her from my diary. Day 11 & 12: Lara & Zara Lara and Zara were sisters. Zara was two years older than Lara. Yet, with society's perceptions, Zara was the 'prettier' and more attractive of the two. She was taller, and had lighter colour skin, her hair was light, her... Continue Reading →

Sixteen days. Sixteen stories about Her from my diary. Day 10: Sara A few years back, over lunch I asked my colleague Sara a very casual question, little did I know of her response. For me, it was an utter shame to ask such a question, as for Sara, the lunch break we shared turned... Continue Reading →

Sixteen days. Sixteen stories about Her from my Diary. Day 9: Haana Haana, is a far relative. It is the first time I write about a relative of mine in these stories. She is related to my aunts in-law's. The first time I met Haana was when she was nine years old. She had short,... Continue Reading →

Sixteen Days. Sixteen stories about Her from my diary.  Day 8: Pari Pari was tall, very tall. Slim. Fit to walk an international catwalk and model for the world's greatest designers. She was so fit, anyone who did not know would guess that Pari spent all her days at the gym. For the Iraqi context... Continue Reading →

Sixteen days. Sixteen stories about Her from my diary. Day 7: Avin More than ten years ago, in 2008, I met Avin and her peers in a high school in Erbil. I walked into the school with a flip-chart stand, flip-chart papers and some markers. We had selected a few school after initial research indicated... Continue Reading →

Sixteen days. Sixteen stories about her from my diary. Day 6: Fatma Fatma is tall, very tall and stunning. Her long black hair is hidden under a conservative hijab. She barely puts makeup on, for her natural beauty needs no makeup. Fair, soft, skin, almond brown eyes, the perfect shaped nose and lots of height,... Continue Reading →

Sixteen days. Sixteen stories about Her from my diary. Day 5: Soz Soz is a close friend of mine. A secret friend I may say. If I am so called smart, Soz is one hundred times smarter, if I have a dash of kindness, Soz has an ocean of kindness. If I have any beauty,... Continue Reading →

Sixteen days. Sixteen stories about Her from my diary. Day 4: Helan Helan is a teacher, and a mother of three. She is a beautiful woman in her early thirties. Helan, has the Kurdish eyebrows, expressive brown eyes, and the most beautiful humble facial features. In fact, she can turn heads with her beauty, presence... Continue Reading →

Sixteen Days. Sixteen stories about Her from my diary. Day 3: Manisht. Manisht's story I hold very close to my heart. She belonged to a family of four sisters and five brothers. Manisht's love for a relative was innocent, and pure. They would meet in family gatherings, as she tells me he was handsome, educated... Continue Reading →