Child support at last
Free legal assistance made all the difference for Heba. She is one of many women seeking help from our partner organisation Pena Center in Iraq.
About five years ago, Heba* came to Pena Center for Combatting Violence Against Women looking for help. When Heba’s husband divorced her, he denied her child support. As Heba did not have a job, she had to rely on her parents. It was a struggle to keep the family afloat.
Free legal support
Without education or previous experience, Heba had difficulties finding a job. Besides—her family didn’t think it was appropriate. But Heba wanted to be independent.
“I did not have enough money for the lawyer to help me, but Pena Center offered me all the legal support for free,” says Heba.
Thanks to the work of the centre’s lawyer, Heba was able to go to court to demand the child support she is entitled to.
Better opportunities
Heba is now set on her children having better opportunities than her in the future. She says that for women in Iraq, choices are limited.
“I hope that all women facing difficulties like me seek the help of women’s rights centres and organisations,” says Heba.
*Heba wants to remain anonymous. We’ve therefore replaced her real name.
Kvinna till Kvinna has worked for women’s rights in Iraq since 2005 and we have an office in Erbil. We support and work with several local partner organisations, including Pena Center for Combatting Violence Against, to end all forms of violence against women and girls and strengthen economic gender equality. Read more about our work in Iraq.