Ezidi Life Ten Years After the Genocide: A Look at Youth and Male Survivors

This article is based on the article written by Basma Sulaiman who touches on the ongoing struggles faced by Ezidi youth and male survivors. 

More Than A Decade but No Progress

A decade has passed since the genocide committed by ISIS against the Ezidi people in 2014, yet for many survivors, the struggle continues. Journalist Basma Sulaiman recently explored the lasting impact of the genocide on Ezidi youth and male survivors, highlighting the challenges they still face in displacement, the lack of justice, and the difficulties of rebuilding their lives.

Many Ezidis remain unable to return to their homeland in Sinjar due to ongoing insecurity, political tensions, and the destruction left behind. Thousands continue to live in camps with limited access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Even those who have managed to return face immense hardships, with homes in ruins, infrastructure in poor condition, and economic instability making survival difficult. Justice remains elusive, as many perpetrators of the genocide are still free, and international attention has largely faded, leaving survivors feeling abandoned.

The consequences of the genocide have been particularly devastating for the Ezidi youth. Many who were children in 2014 have grown up in displacement, missing out on a stable home, education, and opportunities for the future. Schools in camps are overcrowded and poorly funded, making access to quality education difficult. Higher education remains out of reach for many due to financial struggles and limited university access. Beyond the loss of education, the emotional and psychological toll on young Ezidis is profound. Many are still traumatized by the destruction of their families and former lives, while the lack of hope for a better future pushes some toward migration.

While much of the world has focused on the suffering of Ezidi women who were enslaved by ISIS, Sulaiman also draws attention to the experiences of male survivors, whose struggles are often overlooked. Thousands of Ezidi men were executed, leaving behind a generation of widows and orphaned children. Those who survived lost their families, their homes, and their sense of identity. Some were taken captive and subjected to torture, yet their trauma is rarely acknowledged. Mental health support for male survivors is almost nonexistent, and cultural expectations often prevent them from expressing their pain. Many continue to suffer from PTSD and depression in silence, with little hope for recovery.

Ezidis Remain Resilient

Despite these hardships, Ezidi survivors remain resilient. Many are working to rebuild their lives, seek education, and advocate for their rights. Several NGOs provide essential support, including psychological care, legal assistance, and programs aimed at helping survivors regain independence. One such organization, the Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights, offers counseling, vocational training, and professional development to help survivors recover. The foundation also advocates for justice through the Coalition for Just Reparations, working to ensure that Ezidi survivors receive recognition and compensation under the Survivors’ Law.

Although the efforts of NGOs have made a difference, they cannot replace the responsibility of governments and the international community. More must be done to rebuild Sinjar, improve access to education, expand mental health services, and ensure that those responsible for the genocide face justice. Without these critical steps, the suffering of Ezidi survivors will continue.

Ten years after the genocide, the wounds remain deep, and the challenges are far from over. But with the right support and commitment from the world, the next decade could be one of recovery and renewal. Despite everything they have endured, the Ezidi people continue to fight for their future with resilience and determination.