Iraqi Women Art and War CIC (IWAW) is a women-led community organisation dedicated to empowering women affected by war, conflict, displacement, domestic violence and social exclusion. Through art, cultural heritage, education and community engagement, IWAW provides an inclusive and supportive platform where women from diverse backgrounds can express themselves freely, share their experiences, develop creative skills and build meaningful connections. Throughout 2025, IWAW continued to strengthen its role within Oxford and Oxfordshire, delivering an extensive programme of exhibitions, sustainable fashion projects, educational outreach, community cafes, creative workshops and women's empowerment activities. Our work has brought together women, families, artists, museums and community organisations, promoting social inclusion, cultural understanding, wellbeing and solidarity. Exhibitions, Art and Cultural Heritage In 2025, IWAW developed and participated in several significant exhibitions across Oxfordshire that celebrated women's creativity, resilience, cultural identity, and personal experiences. Museum of Oxford - 50th Anniversary Exhibition IWAW was proud to contribute to the Museum of Oxford's 50th anniversary celebrations through a collaborative artwork exploring the partnership between IWAW and the museum. Women participated in a creative workshop to produce a dress using collage techniques, representing shared experiences, cultural heritage, creativity and the importance of community partnerships. The finished artwork was exhibited at the Museum of Oxford from February until the end of June 2025, providing an opportunity for visitors to engage with the stories and artistic contributions of women from different cultural backgrounds. Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum - Sustainable Fashion and Women's Stories From March to July 2025, IWAW presented its sustainable fashion collection and associated artworks at the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum. The exhibition formed part of activities marking International Women's Day, Oxfordshire Artweeks and Refugee Week, using fashion, textiles and creative expression to explore women's experiences of war, displacement, identity, resilience and sustainability. These exhibitions provided an important public platform for women whose stories are often underrepresented in mainstream cultural institutions. Old Fire Station - Marmalade Exhibition During April 2025, IWAW participated in the Marmalade exhibition and associated activities at the Old Fire Station in Oxford. Our involvement created opportunities for artistic collaboration, public engagement and conversations about women's rights, cultural identity, community participation and the role of creativity in bringing people together. Community Engagement, Outreach and Education IWAW expanded its community engagement programme through an ongoing partnership with the Museum of Oxford. Founder and Director Rana Ibrahim delivered a series of educational outreach and family-friendly activities across Oxford and Oxfordshire, introducing diverse audiences to IWAW's work, cultural heritage and creative approaches. These activities encouraged children, young people, families and adults to explore different cultures, share their own experiences and participate in creative learning. The outreach programme helped IWAW connect with new audiences, raise awareness of the experiences of women affected by war and displacement, and strengthen relationships with local communities. Through interactive art activities, conversations and cultural objects, IWAW demonstrated how museums and community organisations can work together to make heritage more accessible, inclusive and relevant. Sustainable Fashion, Creative Skills and Women's Empowerment Throughout 2025, IWAW continued to promote sustainable fashion, textile arts and creative skills development. Women participated in sewing, knitting, pattern-making, collage, painting and other practical art work-shops. We also invited artists from different backgrounds to share their expertise and collaborate with our members. These activities provided opportunities for participants to develop practical skills, build confidence, ex-press their identities and explore environmentally responsible approaches to fashion and artistic production. Our sustainable fashion work also demonstrated how clothing and textiles can communicate powerful messages about women's lives, cultural heritage, human rights and social change. Community Cafes, Food Heritage and Cultural Exchange Food and cultural heritage remained central to IWAW's community activities in 2025. Working collaboratively with WISH, Cherwell Collective and the Mesopotamian Club, IWAW organised pop-up cafes and food-related activities linked to International Women's Day, Oxfordshire Artweeks and Refugee Week. Activities were delivered alongside exhibitions and community events, including those held at the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum. The cafes provided welcoming spaces for people to meet, experience Iraqi and Middle Eastern food traditions, share stories and learn about different cultures. IWAW also continued developing its Iraqi pop-up cafe and Mesopotamian supper club activities, enabling women to contribute their cooking skills, share traditional recipes and gain practical experience in collaborative food preparation and hospitality. These initiatives supported social interaction, intercultural understanding, women's confidence and opportunities for future skills development. Weekly Women's Meetings, Wellbeing and Social Inclusion IWAW continued to hold regular weekly meetings, providing a safe, respectful and welcoming environment for women from diverse nationalities and backgrounds. These meetings remained at the heart of our community work, offering opportunities for friendship, peer support, creative participation and open discussion. Participants were encouraged to share their experiences and discuss issues affecting their lives, including women's rights, human rights, domestic violence, discrimination, displacement, family wellbeing and social isolation. Alongside these discussions, women participated in creative workshops, practical skills sharing, collaborative projects and planning activities. The meetings helped strengthen social connections, reduce isolation and support women in developing confidence, independence and a sense of belonging. IWAW continued to recognise the importance of providing a platform where women's voices are heard, their experiences are respected and their contributions are valued. Advocacy, Human Rights and Community Solidarity Advocacy remained an essential part of IWAW's mission throughout 2025. Through exhibitions, public engagement, artistic expression and community discussions, IWAW raised awareness of the challenges faced by women affected by war, displacement, gender-based violence, dis-crimination and inequality. Our activities encouraged dialogue about women's rights, dignity, freedom of expression, social justice and peaceful coexistence. By bringing together women from different cultural, religious and social backgrounds, IWAW promoted mutual respect, solidarity and understanding. Our approach emphasised the importance of empowering women to represent their own experiences through art and storytelling rather than having their stories told on their behalf. Health Research, Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) and Community Representation In 2025, Iraqi Women Art and War CIC (IWAW) expanded its community engagement and advocacy activities into health research through the participation of its Founder and Director, Rana Ibrahim, in the Diversity in Research Group, connected with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (Oxford BRC). Rana joined the group on 31 January 2025, representing IWAW and bringing the perspectives and experiences of women from diverse cultural, migrant and refugee backgrounds into discussions about health research and public involvement. As part of this ongoing commitment, Rana participated in induction sessions, training programmes, online and in-person meetings, and discussions with NHS professionals, researchers and other public contributors. The training and engagement activities explored several important areas, including: - Understanding Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) and its importance in medical and healthcare research. - Learning about the role of the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre and its research activities. - Exploring how patients and members of the public can contribute to research design, development and delivery. - Understanding the skills, knowledge and lived experiences that public contributors bring to re-search. - Learning how to make community voices heard and encourage meaningful participation in re-search. - Meeting researchers, NHS representatives and experienced public contributors to exchange knowledge and perspectives. This involvement represents an important development in IWAW's community work, creating a bridge between healthcare researchers, NHS professionals and communities whose voices may otherwise be underrepresented in medical research. Through her participation, Rana has been able to share insights from her work with women affected by war, displacement, cultural barriers and social isolation, while developing her own understanding of how public involvement can contribute to more inclusive and accessible health research. This experience also provides opportunities to share knowledge with IWAW members, raise awareness of public involvement in research and encourage greater dialogue between communities and healthcare institutions. The involvement is ongoing and represents a valuable new direction for IWAW, complementing its existing work in women's empowerment, education, human rights, wellbeing and social inclusion. Community Benefit and Impact IWAW's engagement with the Diversity in Research Group contributes to the organisation's community benefit objectives by supporting: - Greater representation of diverse communities in discussions about health research. - Improved understanding between researchers, healthcare professionals and community organisations. - Opportunities for women from migrant, refugee and conflict-affected backgrounds to learn about participation in health research. - Knowledge exchange between public contributors and the communities they represent. - Stronger connections between arts-based community organisations and healthcare research institutions. Through this initiative, IWAW continues to demonstrate that community empowerment extends beyond artistic expression and cultural heritage to include meaningful participation in research, healthcare discussions and decisions that may affect people's lives. Strengthening links between community organisations, NHS professionals and health researchers through ongoing Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), supporting more inclusive research and greater representation of diverse communities. Partnerships and Community Collaboration During 2025, IWAW continued to strengthen existing partnerships and develop collaborative activities with museums, cultural institutions, artists and community organisations. Key collaborators included the Museum of Oxford, Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum, Old Fire Station, WISH, Cherwell Collective and the Mesopotamian Club. These partnerships provided valuable opportunities to reach wider audiences, share resources, develop creative projects and increase the visibility of women from refugee, migrant and conflict-affected communities. Collaboration remained central to IWAW's approach, enabling the organisation to contribute to Oxford-shire's cultural and community life while creating meaningful opportunities for women to participate. Preserving Women's Stories – IWAW Museum of Women IWAW continued to develop its long-term vision for the IWAW Museum of Women, an initiative dedicated to collecting, preserving, interpreting and exhibiting women's stories through art, cultural objects, fashion, textiles and personal narratives. Our exhibitions and collaborative artworks contributed to the development of a growing collection representing women's experiences of conflict, displacement, resilience, creativity and cultural identity. The Museum of Women initiative aims to ensure that these stories remain accessible to future generations and that women's contributions to history, heritage and contemporary society are recognised and celebrated. Community Benefit and Impact Through its activities in 2025, IWAW provided important social, cultural, educational and creative bene-fits to women, families and the wider community. Our work contributed to: - Reducing social isolation and creating supportive community networks. - Empowering women through creativity, skills development and opportunities for self-expression. - Raising awareness of women's rights, human rights and the experiences of people affected by war and displacement. - Promoting intercultural understanding, social inclusion and community cohesion. - Providing accessible arts, heritage and educational activities for families and wider audiences. - Encouraging environmental awareness through sustainable fashion and creative reuse. - Preserving women's stories and cultural heritage through exhibitions and the developing Museum of Women. - Strengthening partnerships between community organisations, museums and cultural institutions. Conclusion 2025 was a productive and significant year for Iraqi Women Art and War CIC, marked by an ex-tensive programme of exhibitions, community engagement, sustainable fashion, cultural activities and creative collaboration. IWAW also expanded its community representation into health research through its Director's involvement with the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre's Diversity in Research Group, establishing new opportunities for knowledge exchange, public participation and collaboration between healthcare researchers and underrepresented communities. Through our continued work with women, families, museums, and community partners, IWAW strengthened its contribution to Oxfordshire's cultural and social life. Our achievements demonstrate the importance of art as a means of empowerment, education, communication and community connection. IWAW remains committed to creating opportunities for women affected by war, displacement and inequality to have their voices heard, their creativity recognised and their experiences preserved. We look forward to building on these achievements, expanding our community activities, and continuing to develop the IWAW Museum of Women. Rana Ibrahim Founder and Director Iraqi Women Art and War CIC (IWAW) www.iwaw24.com IWAW in Numbers - 2025 Over the course of 2025, Iraqi Women Art and War CIC (IWAW): - Supported over 40 women and their families through creative activities, social engagement and community support. - Exhibited more than 40 artworks, including collage, sustainable fashion, textiles and cultural heritage pieces. - Delivered approximately 40-45 creative workshops and weekly women's activities. - Produced over 300 artistic creations through individual and collaborative projects. - Participated in more than 10 exhibitions, cultural events and public engagement activities. - Delivered over 10 educational outreach and family-friendly activities in partnership with the Museum of Oxford and other organisations. - Continued developing partnerships with museums, cultural institutions, community organisations and healthcare research networks. - Organised pop-up cafes and cultural food activities celebrating Iraqi and Middle Eastern heritage. - Continued collecting, preserving and documenting artworks and cultural objects for the developing IWAW Museum of Women. - Expanded community representation into health research through ongoing Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) with the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre. - Held regular weekly women's meetings, promoting wellbeing, social inclusion, creative learning and women's rights. - Continued supporting families through community food-sharing and practical assistance. For more information, please see the Iraqi Women Art and War CIC Annual Review 2025 (available on request).

Stakeholders IWAW's primary stakeholders are Iraqi women and women from other backgrounds affected by war, conflict, displacement, domestic violence, discrimination and the asylum or immigration system, together with their families. Other stakeholders include IWAW members, volunteers, directors, participating artists, local communities, museum and heritage organisations, community partners, healthcare research representatives and members of the general public who engage with our activities. Throughout 2025, IWAW continued to consult with its stakeholders to ensure that its activities reflected community needs, interests and priorities. Women's voices, experiences and collective decision-making remained central to the organisation's development. Consultation Methods Regular Weekly Meetings and Creative Workshops IWAW held regular weekly meetings, art workshops and community gatherings, providing opportunities for women to express their views, suggest activities, discuss challenges and contribute to project planning. These meetings also provided a supportive environment for conversations about women's rights, wellbeing, domestic violence, cultural identity and social inclusion. WhatsApp Groups and Digital Communication IWAW maintained active WhatsApp groups and social media communication to share information, gather feedback, discuss opportunities and involve members in organisational decisions. These platforms enabled women who could not attend meetings regularly to remain informed and con-tribute their opinions. Exhibitions and Community Events Feedback was gathered through informal discussions with participants, visitors, artists and partner organisations during exhibitions and public activities at the Museum of Oxford, Soldiers of Oxfordshire Muse-um and Old Fire Station. These conversations helped IWAW understand how audiences engaged with women's stories, sustainable fashion, cultural heritage and community artwork. Community Cafes and Cultural Activities Through pop-up cafes and food-related activities organised with WISH, Cherwell Collective and the Mesopotamian Club, IWAW encouraged participants to share ideas about traditional cooking, hospitality, cultural exchange and future community food projects. Consultation with Partners and Community Organisations IWAW maintained communication with museums, heritage organisations, community groups and other partners, including the Museum of Oxford, Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum, Old Fire Station and Makespace Oxford. These discussions provided opportunities to exchange professional advice, review collaborative activities and explore future projects. Health Research and Public Involvement From 31 January 2025, IWAW's Founder and Director, Rana Ibrahim, participated in the Diversity in Research Group connected with the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre. Through Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) training, meetings and discussions with researchers, NHS representatives and other public contributors, she contributed community perspectives and gained knowledge about inclusive participation in health research. This involvement created an additional opportunity for dialogue and knowledge exchange between com-munity organisations and healthcare research professionals. Actions Taken in Response to Stakeholder Feedback 1. Developing More Accessible and Inclusive Activities In response to discussions about family responsibilities, language barriers and accessibility, IWAW continued providing flexible, welcoming and family-friendly activities. Workshops and community events were designed to encourage participation from women, children and families with different needs and circumstances. 2. Expanding Creative and Practical Skills Activities Women expressed interest in learning and sharing practical creative skills. IWAW responded by continuing and expanding activities involving sewing, knitting, pattern-making, painting, collage and sustainable fashion, including opportunities to work with invited artists. 3. Strengthening Sustainable Fashion and Exhibition Opportunities Members continued to express interest in presenting their artwork and cultural stories to wider audiences. IWAW responded by developing exhibition opportunities at the Museum of Oxford, Soldiers of Oxford-shire Museum and Old Fire Station, including collaborative artwork, sustainable fashion and textile-based projects. These activities increased opportunities for women to share their experiences and participate in Oxford-shire's cultural life. 4. Developing Community Food and Cultural Heritage Projects Following participants' interest in cooking, traditional recipes and sharing cultural heritage, IWAW continued developing its pop-up cafes and Mesopotamian supper club activities. These projects encouraged collaboration, practical skills development, cultural exchange and community participation. 5. Strengthening Women's Participation and Collective Decision-Making IWAW continued to involve women in planning activities, discussing opportunities and making collective decisions through weekly meetings and digital communication. This approach helped ensure that members could contribute to the direction of the organisation and that their views were respected. 6. Expanding Community Outreach and Educational Activities In response to interest in reaching more families and communities, IWAW strengthened its collaboration with the Museum of Oxford through educational outreach and family-friendly activities across Oxford-shire. These activities provided opportunities for wider public participation and helped introduce IWAW's work to new audiences. 7. Preserving Women's Stories and Cultural Heritage Participants continued to emphasise the importance of preserving their artwork, cultural objects and personal stories. IWAW responded by continuing its collections and exhibitions work and developing its long-term vision for the IWAW Museum of Women. The initiative aims to preserve women's experiences and creative contributions for future generations. 8. Building Connections with Health Research and Public Services IWAW's developing involvement in Patient and Public Involvement through the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre created opportunities to bring community perspectives into discussions about health research. This engagement supports IWAW's wider commitment to increasing the visibility and participation of communities that may be underrepresented in public services and research. Conclusion Throughout 2025, IWAW maintained an ongoing dialogue with its stakeholders through weekly meetings, creative workshops, digital communication, exhibitions, community events and partnerships. Feedback and suggestions helped shape the organisation's activities, strengthen accessibility, expand creative opportunities and develop new areas of community engagement. IWAW remains committed to ensuring that the women and communities it serves are actively in-volved in shaping its work, with their voices, experiences and priorities at the centre of its decision-making.

Rana Ibrahim received remuneration of £800 per month for her role as Freelance Community Curator, Education and Outreach Officer.

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration