Maryam Jawad: From Life’s Challenges to a Thriving Business

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women of Iraq who have overcome challenges and become symbols of resilience and success. Among them shines the story of Maryam Jawad, a rural woman who turned her dream into reality, establishing a thriving business despite all obstacles.

Maryam’s beginnings were no different from those of many rural Iraqi women, but she chose to make her story extraordinary. Facing life’s challenges, she paved her own path, reviving a childhood dream that began among the marshes of southern Iraq. Growing up in her family, she absorbed the rich heritage of the marshlands, gaining valuable rural life skills, including buffalo breeding and dairy production.

After getting married and moving to Al-Madina District, she faced difficult living conditions. However, her passion remained alive. With limited options before her, she made a bold decision—not to retreat, but to embark on a new journey. Carrying her dream with her, she reshaped it with greater determination and a stronger will.

Maryam started her journey with the simplest resources, producing only five kilograms of dairy products and selling them in nearby markets. Over time, her business expanded, and her daily production increased, earning her a loyal customer base that trusted her and the quality of her products.

Her journey was not without challenges. When a team from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) visited her, they identified one of the biggest obstacles to her growth: she had no permanent workspace. Operating from a rented home-made expansion nearly impossible. Yet, giving up was never an option.

Encouraged and supported by the FAO team and backed by her family, she took a significant step by purchasing a piece of land in Nahr Al-Saqiya village to establish a permanent center for her business. This was made possible under a European Union-funded project to enhance the resilience of agrifood systems in southern Iraq, implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture. The FAO team closely oversaw every stage of the project, ensuring the center’s successful construction and full outfitting with modern equipment. This was part of the EU-funded project to enhance the resilience of agri-food systems in southern Iraq, implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture. With this support, Maryam was able to boost productivity and elevate product quality, transforming her dream into a thriving reality.

Alongside the construction and equipping of the center, Maryam participated in a series of hands-on training sessions led by FAO experts. These trainings covered essential techniques for milk testing, transportation, preservation, and dairy product manufacturing and marketing. Additionally, she learned how to produce new dairy varieties previously uncommon in Iraq, such as mozzarella and ricotta cheese, while also refining the production methods of traditional dairy products.

The opening of the center was not just a personal achievement but a milestone for growth and a testament to Maryam’s expanding impact on the community. Her business flourished, and today, she produces 500 kilograms of dairy products daily—a remarkable leap from her humble beginnings.

Her products have now reached various regions of Basra and even found customers in Kuwait.

Thanks to the high quality of her products, achieved through meticulous milk testing processes, Maryam has received offers from local ice cream manufacturers to supply them with milk. This new opportunity paves the way for further growth and expansion.

Yet, her success was never limited to production alone— she was committed to empowering other women by training them in dairy production and creating job opportunities within her community. Today, she runs her center alongside her husband and oversees a team of 11 female workers, with an unwavering ambition to further develop her business and expand its reach.

Her success gained widespread recognition. Maryam was honored at the 15th edition of the International Agricultural Exhibition in Baghdad and was selected to represent Iraq at the FAO Near East and North Africa Regional Office’s World Food Day event in Cairo in October 2024. There, she shared her journey with the audience, illustrating how she transformed challenges into opportunities and showcasing samples of her products.

"The FAO's intervention provided me with comprehensive support on all levels, helping me achieve success." Said Maryam . 

On International Women’s Day 2025: Accelerating Progress for All Women and Girls

Maryam Jawad’s journey perfectly embodies the theme of International Women’s Day 2025: "For ALL Women and Girls: Accelerate Progress. Rights. Equality. Empowerment." Her success extends beyond her personal venture, serving as a stepping stone toward greater achievements for women in Iraq and beyond, across various levels.

Today, Maryam’s rural dairy center stands as a symbol of perseverance and success—a testament that dreams never die but instead await those who revive them with passion and an unbreakable will.