Sarwa Abdul Wahab Al Darwish

TV journalist, Iraq. Killed 2007

Sarwa Abdul Wahab Al Darwish was a freelance Iraqi television journalist and photojournalist from Mosul.  Determined to make something of her life after the war and years of sanctions, she had trained as a lawyer and was the only woman from Mosul who appeared as a reporter on television, on Kurdish TV.  She was proud of her achievements but her high profile had also led to her receiving death threats.

On May 4th last year, 36-year-old Sarwa was shot dead - in front of her widowed mother. The two women were returning from the market when their taxi was stopped. Sarwa was dragged out by two men who attempted to kidnap her. She screamed and struggled against her would-be abductors. So they shot her twice in the head and drove away.  

Sarwa had been the only breadwinner in her family of mother, sister, brother and elderly aunt and since her death they have had to find a way of supporting themselves.  The Trust has helped them set up an internet café that will provide them with a much-needed regular income.