ICAN partner Hanaa Edwar was recently named a Takreem Laureate on November 14, 2013 during a ceremony in Paris, France. She won the Arab Woman of the Year Award. “Takreem was created to portray an alternative image of Arabs – one that speaks of hard work, productivity, creativity, success and excellence.”

Hanaa Edwar has been a Human Rights, Women’s Rights and Democracy Activist for more than 40 years. She has been awarded the Sean MacBride Peace Prize 2011 by the International Peace Bureau (IPB), for her contribution “to the advancement of democracy and human rights”, and her “firm stand against violence and war”.  She is the Secretary General of Iraqi Al-Amal Association, a local NGO established in 1992, which is actively participating on rehabilitating citizens and influencing the social conscience to achieve peace, respect of human rights and sustainable development in Iraq. She is the co-founder of the Iraqi Women Network, which consists of more than 80 women’s organizations and groups. She led countless campaign for women’s and gender equality, enhancing women’s role in decision-making positions and in the Constitutional process.