Women’s Safety in Building Sustainable Societies
Associate Professor Dr. Sahar M. Zaki
Director, Center for Research and Education in Women’s Health (CREWH), HMU
August 5, 2026
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Building a healthy society starts with ensuring that every woman feels secure, respected, and supported—whether she is learning in a classroom, leading a research project, or serving her community.
On August 4, 2026, Hawler Medical University hosted an institutional workshop titled “Safe Women, Strong Communities” in the Conference Hall of the College of Health Sciences. Designed to be both informative and welcoming, the workshop brought together university staff, lecturers, and health professionals to discuss how safety directly impacts individual well-being and community growth.
Why Safety Matters: Key Takeaways from University Leadership
The interactive workshop was led by leaders in women's health research and campus health and safety:
Workshop Leaders
- Associate Professor Dr. Sahar M. Zaki
Director, Center for Research and Education in Women’s Health (CREWH), Hawler Medical University
- Lecturer. Haval Abdulkhalik, M.Sc.
Director of Health and Safety, Hawler Medical University
Ideas for Lasting Change
Rather than treating safety as just a set of rules, the workshop highlighted how creating a compassionate and secure environment allows everyone to thrive. The discussions focused on three main ideas:
- Safety as the Foundation of Health: When women feel safe from physical and mental stress, they can focus on their personal health, education, and professional development—which in turn strengthens their families and the broader community.
- Creating Supportive Spaces: Small, deliberate changes in work and study environments can make university spaces more inclusive, open, and encouraging for female staff, faculty, and students.
- A Shared Responsibility: Safety isn't up to just one person or department. Building a healthy culture requires teamwork, open communication, and mutual support across every corner of our university.
Looking Ahead: A Culture of Support and Respect
The “Safe Women, Strong Communities” initiative reflects Hawler Medical University’s core belief that academic excellence goes hand-in-hand with human care. By establishing accessible resources and promoting awareness, the University continues to build safe, vibrant environments where women can learn, teach, and lead with confidence.
"When we protect and support women, we aren't just making our workplaces safer—we are giving our entire community the foundation it needs to grow stronger, healthier, and more resilient."
— Office of University Activities, Hawler Medical University
Iraq, Kurdistan Region,