Dr. Nagham was born and raised as a Yazidian woman. A gynaecologist by profession from College of Medicine in Mosul, she hails from a family lineage of educationists: her grandfather was a teacher and school manager; her father, a teacher; and her two brothers are lawyers and her youngest sister also a medical doctor. She has worked as a volunteer for a number of organizations, including UNFPA, and is an activist for women and children’s rights, all while also working at  Sheklham maternity hospital as DoH staff as well as at her private clinic. In all of these roles, she has continued to serve women and girls free of charge since the beginning of the ISIS crisis.

 Dr Nagham is particularly proud of her humanitarian work:  when Sinjar was attacked by ISIL on 3 August 2014, she would go directly to the displaced people who could not come to the hospital to help them medically. She would treat and refer them to hospital if the need arises. In September 2014, when she heard that there were girls’ survivors who had escaped from ISIL captivity she went to their aid and continues to help them in various capacities. In the Women’s Survivor’ centrer which she helped established, and is supported by UNFPA and the health directorate of Duhok, Dr. Nagham has treated more than 1300 survivors, visiting them in the camps and encouraging them to be treated in the centre.

Dr. Nagham has attended many workshops in different parts of Iraq, Europe, and the US; and serves as a voice of women in need of support for women’s rights, gender equality, and prevention of sexual slavery. In 2016, she was recognized with an International Women of Courage Award. She was also awarded a Silver Rose for her human rights work in June 2014 from the European Solidar organization.