Change Her Story, Change the World: Turning Pain Into Purpose – with Taban Shoresh

“If you don’t speak up, nothing will change. If I say something, and it rings to one person in the room…then that might be the person who needs to hear it that day.” –Taban Shoresh Can lived experience truly shape a person’s path and inspire them to advocate for the protection of the most vulnerable? In this episode of the Protection Leadership podcast, Taban Shoresh—former Iraqi refugee, women’s rights activist, founder of The Lotus Flower, and recipient of the Nansen Refugee Award—joins Panos Moumtzis for a deeply personal conversation. She shares the harrowing experiences of her early childhood—being imprisoned, nearly buried alive, fleeing conflict, and rebuilding her life as a refugee in the United Kingdom. Through honesty and vulnerability, Taban reflects on gender, identity, and the powerful role that lived experience can play in shaping humanitarian leadership. She also speaks about how her past drives her advocacy for women and girls, the creation of The Lotus Flower, and her belief that protection must remain a core pillar of humanitarian action.Key Takeaways Lived Experience is Leadership Taban Shoresh emphasizes the unique value of leadership rooted in experience rather than titles, underscoring the power of compassion and tangible action. Protection is Fundamental Protection—encompassing safety, dignity, and rights—should be the heart of all humanitarian programs, not an afterthought. Small acts of protection can transform lives in unexpected and far-reaching ways—sometimes decades later. Authenticity and Adaptability in Advocacy Speaking truth to power requires tailoring messages for context while staying true to core values. Even in times of shrinking humanitarian funding, persistent advocacy and directness can keep protection at the center of the agenda.Timestamps(00:00) Taban recounts being taken to prison, the trauma of displacement, and the beginnings of a refugee journey (05:32) What it means to carry the refugee identity for life (06:37) The lasting impact of early trauma and the adjustments to life as a UK refugee child (11:01) How gender shaped Taban Shoresh's experience and her understanding of protection (14:40) The foundation of The Lotus Flower—purpose born from pain, and a commitment to long-term services for displaced women and girls (16:34) Why lived experience leadership matters more than titles (19:19) “Protection should be at the heart of everything we do”—embedding safety and well-being into programs (21:21) From voicelessness after abuse to advocacy—why sharing personal stories can catalyze change (26:55) “Protection is essential”—advice for policymakers, donors, and humanitarian leaders (29:04) The Lotus Flower mantra: “Change her story, change the world.” (31:13) The ripple effect of a single act of protection, and gratitude for unseen humanitarian impactGuest Bio: Taban Shoresh Taban Shoresh is a Kurdish-British humanitarian leader, women’s rights activist, and founder of The Lotus Flower—a charity supporting women and girls affected by conflict and displacement in Iraq.  A survivor of political imprisonment and forced migration as a child, she arrived in the UK as a refugee at age six.  Taban Shoresh is the recipient of the UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award and was awarded an OBE for her services. Her advocacy centers the voices and needs of displaced women and girls, driving emotionally intelligent and authentic leadership in the humanitarian space.Discover more about TabanThe Lotus Flower If you enjoyed this episode of Protection Leadership, please subscribe, share, and leave a review. For more practical insights and real-world conversations that put protection at the heart of humanitarian action, visit geli.org.