Nadia Murad steps down as UNODC Goodwill Ambassador after 8 years of advocacy

BAGHDAD — Nadia Murad, a survivor of ISIS atrocities and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, announced on Tuesday her decision to step down from her role as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking. Despite stepping down, Murad emphasized her ongoing commitment to human rights advocacy and combating conflict-related sexual violence.

Murad, who was abducted by ISIS in 2014 during their assault on Sinjar, was held captive for three months, enduring violent abuse before escaping. Since then, she has dedicated her life to raising awareness of human trafficking and the plight of survivors, particularly women and girls from marginalized communities like the Yazidis.

In a joint statement, Murad and UNODC reflected on her eight years of service as a Goodwill Ambassador. “With her survivor-centric approach, Nadia Murad has played an instrumental role in amplifying the needs and voices of human trafficking survivors on the global stage,” said Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC.

“Ms. Murad will continue to engage more broadly in advocacy efforts around human rights issues and in advancing the fight against conflict-related sexual violence and human trafficking. Her commitment to the issues addressed by UNODC remains steadfast,” the statement continued

Murad was appointed as UNODC Goodwill Ambassador in 2016, where her work focused on advocating for the rights of survivors of human trafficking, raising global awareness, and driving policy changes to combat sexual violence as a weapon of war. The UNODC is the UN’s specialized agency that focuses on drug control, crime prevention, and criminal justice, and its mandate includes addressing issues related to human trafficking and organized crime.

Murad’s advocacy gained international recognition when she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018, alongside Dr. Denis Mukwege, for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence in conflicts. Reflecting on her time as Goodwill Ambassador, Murad stated, “While I have decided to step down from this role, I will continue advocating for human rights issues and to strengthen the fight against conflict-related sexual violence.” She also emphasized her ongoing efforts through Nadia’s Initiative, a non-profit she founded to support survivors and rebuild communities in crisis, adding, “I will continue to advocate tirelessly for justice, human rights, the dignity of survivors, and the rights of women and girls worldwide.”

“While I have decided to step down from this role, I will continue advocating for human rights issues and to strengthen the fight against conflict-related sexual violence,” Murad said.

Earlier this year, Murad earned a degree in sociology from American University in Washington, D.C., furthering her commitment to advocacy and justice.

On August 3, 2014, ISIS militants launched a brutal assault on Sinjar, a predominantly Yazidi area. The attack led to the displacement of over 325,000 Yazidis, with thousands of women and children subjected to abduction, sexual slavery, and exploitation. To this day, more than 2,500 people remain missing. According to the United Nations International Organization for Migration, ISIS destroyed up to 80% of public infrastructure and 70% of civilian homes in Sinjar and the surrounding areas.

Though ISIS lost its territorial control in Iraq in 2017 and its last Syrian stronghold in 2019, remnants of the group continue to pose a security threat in the region.