Bio :H.E. Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed

Her Excellency Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, First Lady of the Republic of Iraq, was born in Sulaimaniyah in 1954 to a prominent Kurdish family. She holds a Higher National Diploma from the College of Arts, London, and an Honorary Master’s Degree from Exeter University.

A dedicated advocate for human rights, Her Excellency is a member of the Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and is widely regarded as one of the most influential Kurdish politicians in Iraq. She has devoted her life to philanthropy, championing the rights of women and children, and advocating for justice and the protection of minorities.

Her Excellency co-founded Kurdistan Save the Children, which has provided protection, health and education services to over 10,000 children annually since 1991. She also co-founded Khak TV and Kurdsat Broadcasting Corporation. and is the Founder of the Ibrahim Ahmed Foundation, which presents the Golden BLA Awards, recognizing achievements in culture, science and human rights.

In addition to her advocacy work, she supports educational exchange programs and serves as Chairperson of the Kurdish Studies Centre at the University of Exeter.