NEW YORK, United States - The United Nations’ (UN) special representative on sexual violence in conflict, under Secretary-General Zainab Bangura, considers Nadia Murad’s appointment as new UN Goodwill Ambassador a critical voice against sexual violence during wars and conflicts. In an interview with Rudaw Bangura said that Nadia Murad, a former Islamic State (ISIS) captive, in her new role as UN Goodwill ambassador will become a voice and representative of victims around the world “She will speak on behalf of those are not allowed to speak, this is important for the Yazidis and Iraqi people as well,” Bangua said. “She will speak on behalf of survivors of ISIS atrocities and other victims of sexual violence elsewhere in the world.” “She will become a face and representative of victims, US congressmen, and UN security council officials,” she added. “She will become a critical voice against sexual violence during conflicts [and] I am pleased, proud and it is an honor for me she got that position as a Yezidi victim.” Nadia’s brother, Saeed Murad, also told Rudaw that, “this is honor that our girl got this responsibility, we hope this way she can work to achieve the Kurdish and Iraqi people rights.” “She will become a real voice for all ISIS survivors,” he added. Murad Esmael, the Director of Yazda, an organization which supports the Yezidis, told Rudaw that Nadia’s appointment “is a historic event, and is makes us proud that Yazda always supports the symbol of the Yezidi Kurds and humanitarian genocide.” Nadia Murad is a Nobel Peace Prize candidate, and was listed by TIME Magazine as one of 100 most influential people of 2016. In August 2014 she was taken into ISIS captivity where she was beaten and raped before she managed to make her escape and speak out against their crimes. Today she is the UN’s new Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking.
