Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Murad Visits UN Bookshop to Share Her Story of Courage, Justice, and New Beginnings
- Details
- Category: 联合国新要闻
- Written by Super User
On November 10, 2026, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and international human rights activist Nadia Murad held a book signing and author event for her new book, I Choose My Beginning: A Story of Courage and Activism, at the United Nations Bookshop in New York. She shared her journey from a survivor of conflict-related sexual violence to an internationally recognized human rights advocate.
Iraq's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Lukman Abdulraheem Al Faily; the United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dame Sarah MacIntosh; and Academy Award-winning American actress and anti-sexual violence advocate Mira Sorvino attended and delivered remarks. Celebrity Media reporters conducted on-site interviews and filmed the event, documenting discussions on women's dignity, social stigma, justice, and rebuilding lives.
From War Survivor to International Human Rights Advocate
Nadia Murad was born into the Yazidi community in northern Iraq. In 2014, the extremist group Islamic State (ISIS) attacked her hometown, killed several members of her family, and abducted and imprisoned her, subjecting her to severe sexual violence and persecution. After escaping captivity, she chose to speak publicly about her experiences, advocating for dignity and justice for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and human trafficking.
In 2016, she was appointed the United Nations' first Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking. In 2018, she was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with physician Denis Mukwege of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She also founded Nadia's Initiative, an organization dedicated to supporting the recovery and reconstruction of communities affected by conflict and genocide.
Her new book, I Choose My Beginning, published by Summit Books, was released on September 15, 2026. Compared with her earlier memoir, The Last Girl, the new book focuses more deeply on how she rediscovered friendship, love, happiness, and a sense of direction after trauma. It conveys an important message: a person's life should not be permanently defined by past suffering, and everyone has the right to choose a new future.
Diplomats and Guests Call for Greater Respect for Survivors' Dignity
In his remarks, Iraq's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Lukman Abdulraheem Al Faily, noted that Murad's story is not simply about what she has lost, but also about how she has reclaimed her voice, her future, and her right to pursue happiness. He also emphasized Iraq's cultural and ethnic diversity, calling for greater understanding, respect, and cooperation among different communities.
The United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dame Sarah MacIntosh, praised Murad's courage in transforming personal suffering into international advocacy. She emphasized that governments must not only listen to survivors but also respect their choices and implement concrete survivor-centered policies and protective measures. She further noted that the United Kingdom has long supported Murad's advocacy at the UN Security Council and has helped advance principles aimed at safeguarding survivors' safety, dignity, and right to be heard.
Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino also shared her own experience as a survivor of sexual violence. She recalled being among those who spoke out about allegations of sexual misconduct against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Praising Murad's courage, Sorvino emphasized that every person who bravely speaks the truth is helping those who have not yet been able to find their voices, including those who continue to experience abuse.
Nadia Murad: Survivors Should Not Bear the Shame
One of the most thought-provoking discussions at the event centered on the social stigma that survivors of sexual violence often face for years.
Responding to a question about how to break down prejudice, Murad recalled that she once felt ashamed because of the sexual violence she had endured. She observed that in many societies, victims may still face blame and rejection despite having done nothing wrong, leaving many survivors afraid to speak openly about their experiences.
She explained that stigmatization effectively becomes a means of silencing victims, while the people who often benefit are the perpetrators. When victims fear public humiliation, offenders may escape accountability and even commit further crimes.
Murad emphasized that the killing of her family members, the destruction of her home, and the violence inflicted upon her were not her fault. She questioned why survivors should be made to carry shame or conceal the truth to accommodate social prejudice when the crimes were committed by perpetrators, not by the survivors themselves.
She called on society to change its attitudes toward survivors of sexual violence, allowing them to overcome stigma and rebuild their lives in environments of respect, understanding, and safety.
From Individual Courage to the Shared Responsibility of the International Community
Murad's experience serves as another reminder to the international community that protecting women and girls requires more than legal accountability, medical assistance, and social support. It also demands the elimination of discrimination and prejudice against survivors.
As armed conflicts, sexual violence, and human trafficking continue around the world, the United Nations and its Member States must translate their commitments to protecting survivors into concrete action through justice, community reconstruction, and meaningful support. Survivors must not only receive protection but also be empowered to regain control over their own lives.
Celebrity Media reporters documented the book event and the remarks delivered by the distinguished guests. Through on-site video coverage and multilingual journalism, Celebrity Media will continue to report on significant United Nations activities related to human rights, women's rights, international peace, and social development.
Nadia Murad's story is not merely a remembrance of suffering. It is a powerful testament to courage, dignity, and the freedom to choose a new beginning in life.