Meet Ridhwan Mirza, MAG Iraq
In 2014, when Sinjar was attacked, my life changed overnight. I am from the Yazidi minority, and like most of my community, I was forced to flee to Iraqi Kurdistan. Around 80% of our people were displaced, and even today, approximately 60% remain displaced. When I began working in mine action, it felt like a practical way to contribute to recovery in a place where the needs were immense.
I delivered Explosive Ordnance Risk Education sessions in villages where fields, homes, and grazing land were unsafe. On one occasion, a destitute villager told me, very honestly, that money would be more valuable to him than safety advice. His situation was so desperate that he did not care if he was killed by explosive ordnance. This was difficult to hear. However, after more conversations, he later said that he had changed his mind and that the information mattered, as it could save him and his family. Moments like this give me a strong sense of purpose and motivation.
Many villages in Sinjar are religiously and ethnically diverse, and communities have experienced significant violence in recent years. It is therefore essential to use language that is context sensitive. Gender roles are also deeply rooted. Before attending the Gender Focal Point training, I facilitated a focus group where the women barely responded to my questions. After the training, I adjusted my approach—creating more comfortable spaces, applying active listening, and being more intentional about inclusion also using context sensitive language. The difference was clear. The women shared detailed and critical information that we would not have gathered otherwise.
My main takeaway from the GFP training is that these skills are not theoretical – they are operational. Active listening, trust-building, and inclusive approaches improve results. This shift in mindset continues to shape how I work with communities affected by conflict every day.