Nadia Murad receives the Clinton Global Citizen Award for her advocacy for Yazidi survivors.
On 13 December 2016, the same day she received the Sakharov Prize in Strasbourg, Nadia Murad was honored with the Clinton Global Citizen Award. Presented by the Clinton Global Initiative, the award recognizes individuals whose vision and leadership have led to lasting, positive social change.
Murad was recognized for her tireless advocacy on behalf of Yazidi survivors of genocide and sexual slavery, and for using her personal story to demand accountability for ISIS’s crimes. Coming from a former U.S. presidential family with global philanthropic reach, the award connected Murad’s work to a broad network of political leaders, donors, and civil‑society organizations.
This recognition was historically meaningful because it brought survivor‑led advocacy into mainstream global philanthropy and policy circles often dominated by political elites. Murad’s presence on such a platform underscored the shift toward centering those directly affected by human‑rights violations in debates about prevention, justice, and reconstruction. It also helped her build alliances and secure resources that would later support initiatives such as Nadia’s Initiative, aimed at rebuilding Sinjar and supporting survivors. For women’s history, the event demonstrated how a young woman from a persecuted minority could leverage international awards to advance concrete policy and reconstruction goals.