Zaynab Salman

Zaynab was born in Iraq and in 2004 worked closely with a group of women in Baghdad to establish an NGO to strengthen their political influence and empower them as a group to defend their rights. Baghdad Women’s Association was the first women’s NGO that was recognised as active and effective in Iraqi political life. Zaynab was the manager and general director of the BWA from Jan 2004 – July 2005. In 2006, she worked with the American Development Foundation as women’s advocacy coordinator, empowering women’s Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) within Iraqi civil society by coordinating and sponsoring the funded projects of these CSOs by the American Development Foundation.

Zaynab moved to Ireland in 2006 and volunteered to translate for people who flee their countries due conflicts. She helped them to communicate with the legal authorities, medical services and educational institutions. Zaynab has investigated cold limb syndrome, caused by the late effects of polio, on the quality of life of people with polio in Trinity College and how technology can improve quality of life. Currently Zaynab is a befriending officer with Spirasi, the national centre for survivors of torture. 

Zaynab lives with disability arising from polio. After she joined Polio Survivors Ireland, she volunteered for the peer led Telephone Support service and joined the Dublin North City Social Support group. Zaynab was elected to the Board in 2021 and currently serves on the Service Quality & Safety Sub-Committee of the Board.