If I talk the international community will hear me.

Layla Tallou is 30 years old and a member of the Yazidi community in northern Iraq. IS held her prisoner for almost three years. Together with her brother Kaled, she wrote an impressive book about her experiences entitled Layla and the Nights of Pain. The book is special for several reasons. It is one of the few occasions that a woman has come out with her story. It is also the first time that a Yezidi man has been brave enough to listen to and write down his sister’s story. With this book, Kaled has broken the taboo in Iraqi society about discussing sexual violence. The book’s publication has been made possible by Hivos. Layla has chosen to tell her painful story and have it translated into English as a way of raising international awareness community for the current plight of these women.