Coronavirus: Lockdown is a prison for the abused

Coronavirus is increasing the risk to women and girls experiencing abuse, says Islamic Relief’s head of global advocacy, Shahin Ashraf.

Shahin Ashraf, Islamic Relief’s head of global advocacy.

In times of crisis, the most vulnerable members of society are always at highest risk of harm.

The stateless, the impoverished, the displaced, the abused.

These are the people who already lack access to healthcare, who don’t have a safe place to self-isolate and who risk being cut off from crucial services and support systems.

As with all crises, vulnerable women and girls must stay on the radar. Their risk of abuse increases, yet their visibility diminishes.

Coronavirus and abuse: Another hidden killer

When forced to spend more time at home vulnerable women are at even greater risk from domestic abuse.

In times of crises, we’re used to seeing how women and girls remain at greater risk of poverty and abusive practices.

In low and lower-middle-income countries, missing out on school will have a primary impact on young girls. Likewise, for women living in poverty and/or engaging in informal care/domestic work or cash-in-hand jobs, any sense of financial aid crumbles.

As women and girls’ education and livelihoods are disrupted, the likelihood of being subjected to sexual violence, forced marriage and human trafficking increases.

We believe that statistics begins don’t lie when it comes to gender and the impact on women and girls.

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has become a global pandemic, we must not therefore forget these vulnerable women and young girls. Women at home here in the UK and further afield will otherwise remain hidden in the shadows as we self-isolate.

Whether in the global north or south, the right to life, to health and wellbeing are universal human rights.

Viruses like COVID-19 don’t discriminate in terms of wealth, status, nationality, ethnicity, age or ability. They do however, hit the most vulnerable the hardest, where safe access to healthcare, food, shelter and water are for some not a daily commodity.

Women will, without a doubt, be adversely affected by this pandemic.

With higher numbers of women in health and care work on the frontlines at risk of ill-health and death, women are particularly vulnerable. What’s more, with schools closed and women already undertaking three times as much unpaid care work as men, looking after children and elderly relatives, women have a lot to contend with.

For women in particular who are already facing greater economic insecurity and caring responsibilities, a spike in domestic abuse is however yet another stain on their lives.

Sadly, the mandatory lockdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19 will affect victims of domestic violence in ways we can’t image. For them, self-isolation doesn’t mean living in the confines of a safe haven we call home.

Instead, victims/survivors remain trapped in their homes with their abusers, isolated from the people and the resources that could help them.

COVID-19 across the globe: Worldwide abuse

Vulnerable women are being offered extra means of support during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Domestic violence is steeped in power and control. And whilst many of us look to our families and homes as a place of solace, vulnerable women – and men – will instead find themselves in a self-contained prison of abuse. Without a way to seemingly escape.

Even in the best of scenarios, it takes on average a victim to experience 50 incidents of abuse before getting effective help.

Victims in isolation will be fearful of going to the local hospital, afraid of catching Coronavirus. Support networks and a friendly face will be cut off as we self-isolate from neighbours, colleagues and loves ones.

Sadly, we are already seeing the results and the impact across continents and global divides.

One women working in the sector in the USA described exactly how a client was scared to seek medical attention for the injuries caused by her abuser:

“I spoke to a female caller in California that is self-quarantining for protection from COVID-19 due to having asthma… Her partner strangled her tonight. While talking to her, it sounded like she has some really serious injuries. She is scared to go to the ER due to fear around catching COVID-19.”

Likewise, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of women is being documented in Asia and France. Here in the UK, we’ve already heard how lockdown in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak will lead to a “domestic abuse pandemic”.

However, in the global south, many incidents of abuse will not make the headlines.

In countries across Europe and North America, measures and systems are in place to attempt to address the physical and emotional abuse women are struggling with alone.

In Spain for example, pharmacies have set up the code word “mask-19” to allow women being abused to seek help. Likewise, here in the UK, the government has also released special guidelines for victims of domestic abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s therefore no secret that women already suffering behind closed doors, remain ever more at risk. However, for women in more volatile situations – those who are displaced in refugee camps, living in conflict zones and in societies which lack adequate protection mechanisms, recognising and seeking help is even harder.

Protecting women: Speaking out against abuse

During lockdown, we must check on the wellbeing of women in our communities.

Whilst we know that we have to follow the government guidelines on social distancing and isolation, we must also recognise that this can lead abusers to become more violent.

And as fear, worry and anxiety grow, so too do the means for abusers to seek control.

Wherever we are, we must stand with vulnerable women and girls and let them know that they are not alone.

We need to reach out to women and girls, keep lines of communication open and realise the risks out there. If you suspect a woman is at risk of abuse, pick up the phone. Seek advice and let her know she is not alone.

Further afield, we’re working in communities across the globe to provide direct aid to families in need.

Our staff are therefore there to offer a friendly face and support to women in need. However, gaining the strength and will to seek help is far from easy.

We need to let women know that we’re here and we stand with them.

As we in the aid community look to adapt in what we see as unprecedented times, our thoughts and prayers go out to the women as ever are paying double the price during times of crisis.

May Allah (SWT) protect them all, ameen.

Help vulnerable people across the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Donate to our Coronavirus appeal and help save lives.

This blog was first published by Islamic Relief UK.

 

new director

Director of Network and Resource Development

Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.

Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.

Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.

Nadeem Azhar

General Counsel

Nadeem joined Islamic Relief Worldwide in September 2022. He has worked in the charitable sector for over a decade.

He studied Modern History and Politics at Manchester University, and at the University of Law in London before qualifying as a solicitor in 2011.

Nadeem is an experienced corporate, commercial and governance lawyer, having worked with various faith-based and grant making charities as well those in health and education settings. He was a partner at a law firm in London before moving in-house where he focused on setting up and restructuring charities and social enterprises.

Most recently, Nadeem was Lead Counsel at Mind, a leading mental health charity, where he co-authored a new federation agreement, revamped legal processes, and played a major role in developing its strategic and fundraising partnerships.

Nadeem has been a charity trustee for the Seafarers Charity, as well as many grant-making bodies and theatre companies.

Adnan Hafiz

Director of Network and Resource Development

Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.

Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.

Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.

Board of Directors
Javed Akhtar

Director of Finance

Javed Akhtar has more than a decade of experience at Islamic Relief, having worked in a similar role between 2003-2014. In that role he strove to implement wide-ranging financial and accounting processes which aided in the transparent nature in which Islamic Relief now operates.

Javed also has diverse experience across the private sector, having worked at American chemicals and pharmaceutical giant DuPont, shipping firm FedEX and technology consultancy company Accenture. In all his roles, he prioritises using the latest technologies to improve monitoring and reporting at every level. Javed’s commitment to embracing digital end-to-end technology, enhancing accountability to our stakeholders and promoting financial transparency is ensuring that we remain at the forefront of financial developments in the sector.

By training, Javed is a chartered accountant with a Master’s degree in NGO Management with Charity Accounting and Financial Management from Cass Business School.
Board of Directors
Affan Cheema  

Director of International Programmes

Affan Cheema is an experienced leader who has spent 25 years working in the international aid sector on poverty eradication in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He has worked in fast onset emergencies, protracted crisis and development environments whilst working for Islamic Relief Worldwide and Care International. He is also a trustee of South West International Development Network (SWIDN).

Through his career Affan has held numerous roles including institutional fundraising, programme and grant management, and programme quality assurance.  Affan’s leadership has helped Islamic Relief Worldwide secure the highly coveted Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), seen as the sector’s premier benchmark for operational excellence.

Affan completed his BA in Economics and Geography from University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) and his MSc in Development Administration and Planning from the University of Bristol. He is PRINCE2 qualified, is a keen sportsman and recently co-edited a book entitled -Islam and International Development: Insights for working with Muslim Communities-.
Board of Directors
Dr Hossam Said

Managing Director, Humanitarian Academy for Development (HAD)

For nearly three decades Dr Hossam has provided the strategic vision to manage, lead and develop a range of international humanitarian interventions around the world.

At the start of his career, Dr Hossam served on the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, before moving to Islamic Relief Worldwide to manage the core global business activities as International Programmes Director.

During this time the organisation increased its global reach, gaining both domestic and international repute and credibility. Dr Hossam has also served on the Islamic Relief Worldwide Board of Management and Executive Committee for the past 15 years; sharing responsibility for strategic organisational development and the change management process, whilst forging strong relationships with many other charities.

Dr Hossam gained an MBA from Aston Business School in 2004 and graduated as a Medical Doctor from Cairo University in 1981.
Board of Directors
Martin Cottingham  

Director of External Relations and Advocacy

Martin Cottingham joined Islamic Relief in 2012 as IRUK Media Relations Manager, and was appointed Head of Communications in 2015 before taking up his current position as Director of External Relations and Advocacy for Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Martin has helped Islamic Relief to increase its mainstream media profile and expand its campaigning work, producing hard-hitting advocacy reports on floods in Pakistan (2011) famine in Somalia (2012) disaster risk reduction (2013) and aid to Afghanistan (2014). He has over 20 years’ experience working in media, communications and marketing roles for international development and environmental charities.

Martin graduated from the University of London with a degree in English and Drama (1982-85) then trained as a journalist with a postgraduate diploma at City University (1986-87). He has previously worked for Christian Aid as Editor of Christian Aid News and Media Relations Manager (1988-97) for Oxfam as Regional Campaigns Manager (1997-2000) and at the Soil Association as Marketing Director (2001-2006), as well as working for a wide range of organisations as a freelance writer, researcher and communications consultant.

Tufail Hussain

Director of Islamic Relief UK

Tufail Hussain has 17 years’ experience in the humanitarian and development sector, leading on marketing and fundraising campaigns for several organisations before joining Islamic Relief UK in 2016 as Deputy Director. Tufail was appointed Director of Islamic Relief UK in 2019 and in 2021 provided valuable leadership as interim CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Tufail is driven by a passion for empowering disadvantaged youth and mentors a number of young people. He also works to strengthen engagement between British Muslims and wider society. Under his leadership, Islamic Relief UK has significantly increased its income and developed successful partnerships with communities across the country. He has travelled around the world to raise awareness of major emergencies such as the Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan crises and the floods in Pakistan and Sudan.

A father to 5 daughters and a son, Tufail is also a sports enthusiast and passionate Liverpool FC supporter. Tufail has run the London Marathon twice, raising over £35,000 for humanitarian causes.

Before joining Islamic Relief he was CEO of Orphans in Need, where he oversaw a new strategy that increased income from £2 million to £9 million in 3 years and opened up new UK and international offices. Tufail is also a trustee of the Muslim Charities Forum and a Director of TIC International (Islamic Relief Worldwide’s clothes recycling and trading arm).
Waseem Ahmad

Chief Executive Officer

Waseem Ahmad joined the Islamic Relief family over 24 years ago, serving as Programme Officer in the Balochistan province of south-western Pakistan before becoming Head of Programmes in Pakistan. Waseem then moved to Oxfam and Tearfund before returning to Islamic Relief to establish our mission in Malawi. Later serving as Head of Programme Funding and Partnerships, Waseem led the response to major crises across the globe, including the East Africa drought, Pakistan earthquake and the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

Waseem then served for nearly 6 years as our Director of International Programmes, during which time the charity secured and retained the coveted Core Humanitarian Standard certification in recognition of the quality of our programming. He was appointed CEO of Islamic Relief in May 2021.

With a special interest in community mobilisation and infrastructure, Waseem received an MSc in Project Planning and Management from the University of Bradford, as well as an MSc in Economics from Arid Agriculture University in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Waseem has also worked for Lepra Health in Action and is a member of the International Civil Society Centre’s Board of Trustees. The father-of-3 enjoys walking and playing football, and is a keen birdwatcher.