This year, the British media BBC featured a list of 100 inspiring and influential women. Four Kurdish women were spotted on the list, all of whom are well-known for their extraordinary roles in conflict zones. This is 100 Women's 10th season, so we're exploring the last decade's progress. While women's rights have made great strides, from the number of female leaders to the MeToo movement, many women still feel they have a long way to go.The list also reflects the role of women in conflict around the world in 2022, from Iranian protesters to Ukrainian and Russian women. We will elaborate on the roles of the four women, Zara Mohammadi (Teacher), Roya Piraei (Activist), Roza Salih (Politician), and Nigar Marf (Nurse).

Zara Mohammadi, a Kurd from Iran's Sanandaj,  was granted the title for her brave achievements. As an educator and proponent of teaching Kurdish, she was arrested for "forming groups to disrupt national security." She received a 5-year prison sentence which sparked protests by Kurds in Iran, Iraq and the west.The country's constitution allows teaching regional and ethnic languages in schools, but many in those areas say it's not done. Additionally, she co-founded Nojin Socio-Cultural Association to promote the Kurdish language.

Furthermore, Roya Piraei became an icon of the mass protests sparked by the death of Kurdish-Iranian girl Mahsa (Zhina) Amini in September when a photo of her at the grave of her mother, Minoo Majidi, was published as stared defiantly at the camera with her head shaved. She was recently welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron, and interviewed by Angelina Jolie.

Roza Salih, a member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), is a Kurdish woman who fled to the UK with her family to escape Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. As a member of the Glasgow Girls group, she has become well-known for her advocacy on behalf of asylum seekers.The Greater Pollok ward recently elected her as an SNP councillor and she has co-founded the Scottish Solidarity with Kurdistan.

Nigar Marf, a nurse based in Sulaimani province in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, treats women who have set themselves on fire at the city's health center. Her 25 years of experience in the burns unit include both intensive care and pediatric burns.

These Kurdish women have done a lot to promote not only human rights, but also humanity. The role of women has been important for a long time, not just for Kurdish women and women in the Middle East, but also for women around the world.

By: Baniz Wasman