About Us
Learn more about the SHEEInovate Global Initiative (SIGI) and our mission to create positive impact through our charitable work.
The Reality We Respond To
Women in conflict and post-conflict settings face displacement, disrupted livelihoods, limited access to basic health and hygiene, and exclusion from education and economic opportunities, creating urgent and persistent needs that demand coordinated, dignified, and evidence-informed responses.
Walk with us on a transformational journey—bringing hope, dignity, and compassion to women, families, and communities worldwide.
01.
We Find & Fund
We identify and reach women most affected by conflict in targeted regions, prioritizing those in the most vulnerable conditions for timely and meaningful support.
02.
We Provide Care
We support women in conflict zones by delivering essential hygiene and emergency aids, mental health support, addressing urgent needs.
03.
We Educate
We equip conflict-affected women with essential digital and English skills to improve communication, access jobs and services, and participate in local and global economies.
Our Story
From a small grassroots initiative to a global movement, discover how SIGI has grown to empower thousands of women affected by conflict.
A Message from Our Founder
My academic work in women’s empowerment has long focused on amplifying the voices of women in conflict and war zones—those who are often the most vulnerable, yet the least heard. This commitment was profoundly strengthened through my visits to refugee camps on multiple occasions, where I witnessed resilience shaped by loss, displacement, and survival.
In those moments, it became clear that what these women need is not just charity, but equitable access to opportunity—education, healthcare, community support, and pathways to economic independence. This understanding became the foundation of SIGI.
What began as an academic vision evolved into a commitment to action—creating platforms that elevate the voices of women from conflict-affected regions, ensuring their lived experiences shape research, inform dialogue, and influence policy in meaningful and practical ways.
I have also had the privilege of connecting with a team of highly skilled, passionate, and inspiring individuals who generously accepted to support this mission and become part of this journey. Their expertise, dedication, and shared belief in our vision have been invaluable, and I would like to sincerely acknowledge and thank them for standing beside me in this work.
Today, watching women graduate from our programs, start businesses, and support their families fills me with hope. Every success story reminds us why this work matters. We are not only changing individual lives—we are transforming communities and helping build a more just and equitable world.
Dr. Fazileh Dadvar-Khani
The Leadership Team
Members of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors provides governance oversight, accountability, and strategic leadership to ensure SIGI’s mission, integrity, and long-term sustainability in serving women affected by conflict and displacement.
Dr. Fazileh Dadvar- Khani
Founder & Executive Director
Fazileh is Emeritus Professor of Geography and Rural Planning at the University of Tehran and an Associate Researcher at the Centre for Feminist Research, York University. Her work centers on gender, rural development, and community resilience, bridging academic research with applied policy and humanitarian practice| Canada
DR. Zubeida Salih Abdulkhaliq
Regional Director
Zubeida is Head of Sociology at Duhok University with a PhD from EHESS Paris. Her work centers on gender, conflict, and social transformation, and she is actively engaged in advocacy and community-based initiatives supporting women’s rights and resilience in Iraqi Kurdistan | Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI)
Fareed Amin
Chair of Directory Board
Fareed brings long term of public service experience at provincial, municipal, and international levels. He has served as Deputy Minister across multiple Ontario ministries and as Deputy City Manager for Toronto. He holds advanced degrees in public administration and serves on the Boards of Seneca College and COSTI | Canada
Dr. Ensiyeh Harbi
Treasurer
Ensiyeh is a psycho-oncology specialist with a PhD in Health Psycho-Oncology. She supports conflict-affected women through culturally responsive, trauma-informed care, stress reduction, chronic illness management, family wellbeing, and psychosocial resilience | Canada
Rasha Ahmed
Regional Director
Rasha is a feminist peacebuilding scholar-practitioner supporting conflict-affected communities in Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda. As Head of the Collaborative for Peace in Sudan (CfPS), she advances women-centered peacebuilding, leadership and economic empowerment | Sudan & Egypt
Strategic Advisory Board
The Advisory Board provides strategic guidance, technical expertise, and ethical insight to strengthen SIGI’s mission and impact for women affected by conflict and displacement.
Saman Fakhradin Abdulkareem
Saman holds an MSc in Historical Conservation in Architecture from Texas Tech University. An artist and musician, he uses creative expression to support conflict-affected communities, fostering healing, resilience, cultural preservation, and dialogue among youth impacted by war and displacement | Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI)
Najiba Khaliqi
Najiba is an international development and nonprofit professional with experience supporting women affected by war, displacement, and forced migration. Her work centers on gender equality, refugee integration, human rights, and policy-informed humanitarian programming in conflict and post-conflict contexts | Canada & Afghanistan
Somayeh Mirnami
Somayeh is a civil engineer specializing in hydraulic systems with a strong commitment to education. She is also an artist and dedicated mentor, empowering individuals and communities through creative, inclusive, and impactful engagement aligned with SHEEInnovate’s mission. | Canada
Khawlah Mousa Mohammed Ali Al-Khazraji
Khawlah is a cultural affairs leader specializing in media, heritage, and community development, with a strong commitment to women’s empowerment. She promotes education and cultural identity through inclusive initiatives, collaborating with UNESCO and participating in global leadership programs. | Baghdad Iraq
Make a Difference Today
Your contribution matters. Support our cause by making a donation.
Every contribution counts and helps SIGI deliver education, essential support, and dignity to women affected by conflict. Together, we can build safer, more resilient futures.