Kurdish Women: Memory and Archives

January 15 2026

A Joint Call from KCAC and The Jiyan Archives

 

The Jiyan Archives is a multimedia archive dedicated to preserving and documenting the lives, culture, identity, and diversity of Kurdish women. Founded in 2021 by Raz Xaidan, this independent public archive highlights the stories of Kurdish women across both Kurdistan and the global diaspora.

 

KCAC has partnered with The Jiyan Archives to collect photos, archival materials, and memories from Kurdish women for a historic publication celebrating their lives and contributions. We call on the community to share memories of extraordinary Kurdish women in their lives—through photos, letters, documents, books, and more. These stories will be brought to life through the curatorial vision of The Jiyan Archives.

 

There are two ways to submit materials. You may visit The Jiyan Archives’ website to access an online submission form, or you may visit KCAC’s office in Erbil to scan items in person with a member of our team. Any materials documenting the often-unseen lives of Kurdish women are welcome. All items will be jointly preserved by KCAC and The Jiyan Archives.

 

To arrange an appointment with KCAC’s team, please email us at information@kcac.org with a brief summary of your materials. Tell us their categories (photographs; letters or documents; books; personal items) and their relationship to a Kurdish woman, and we will help you preserve these memories for future generations.

This collaboration prioritizes the inclusion and representation of Kurdish women, ensuring that featured voices and contributions, regardless of regional, religious, or political backgrounds, are respected and valued throughout the process. All proceeds from this publication will be directed towards Kurdish-led women’s charities.

All work developed through this archival-led partnership centers

  1. Active community engagement, with a specific emphasis on amplifying Kurdish women’s voices and knowledge.
  2. Sustained, value-driven impact, particularly in education, cultural preservation, and the empowerment of Kurdish women.
  3. Internal learning, growth, and development, with a focus on identity and gender-inclusive practices.