Islamic Relief is taking part in a global campaign against gender-based violence (GBV) as part of its strategy to promote gender justice from an Islamic faith perspective. The annual 16-day campaign, initiated in 1991, starts on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day.
Gender justice and child protection are a core part of Islamic Relief’s humanitarian work, particularly in crisis situations when women and children can be more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Common forms of GBV include physical and sexual violence, psychological abuse, financial exploitation, human trafficking, harassment and coercive behaviour and increasingly, digital forms of abuse such as cyber-bullying and revenge porn.
One in three women experience gender-based violence in their lifetime and 200 million girls worldwide have experienced genital mutilation.
Launching the 16 Days of Activism at Islamic Relief Worldwide, CEO Naser Haghamed said, “This year the Islamic Relief family is coming together with one voice to campaign against violence against women and girls. We need to change the way we think and approach what is a violation of human rights. Together we can make a difference.”
Based on the theme of #FaithAgainstGBV, Islamic Relief’s campaign includes a programme of activities around the world, starting with White Ribbon Day that calls on men to take more responsibility for tackling GBV and ending on Human Rights Day with a renewed commitment to addressing the root causes of GBV in the communities we work with.
In Pakistan, Islamic Relief will be educating youth groups on women’s and girls’ rights over the next 16 days. Islamic Relief South Africa will create human chains with local mosques and schools to highlight the link between GBV and HIV/AIDS. Islamic Relief Malawi will bring together imams, local chiefs and community representatives to agree action points that will help end child marriages.
Across the world, Friday sermons will call on men and women to tackle harmful practices, disassociate them from Islam and promote safe, peaceful families and communities.
As one of the world’s largest Islamic inspired humanitarian agencies, Islamic Relief is both committed, and uniquely positioned, to address GBV issues among Muslim communities around the world. Our gender justice strategy specifically aims to end the harmful practices of female genital mutilation/cutting, early and forced marriages and domestic violence.
Islamic Relief is addressing these issues from an Islamic human rights perspective, promoting the protection of women and girls and engaging directly with faith leaders to tackle injustices in their respective communities.
Read about our global activities in the 16 Days of Activism blog by Shahin Ashraf, Islamic Relief’s Global Advocacy Advisor.