Islamic Relief’s world message is ‘Precious in God’s eyes’; recognising the importance that the role of faith and faith leaders play in eliminating violence against women and girls.
Imran Madden, UK Director of Islamic Relief, said:
“Islamic Relief is committed to ending violence against women and girls. Such behaviour is driven by poverty and, in turn, is a driver of poverty. As part of our mission as an international humanitarian organisation, we are tackling such violence and abuse to help establish gender justice in the countries we work in.
“Gender justice and child protection are a core part of Islamic Relief’s humanitarian work.”
More than 15 Islamic Relief offices across the world are taking part in the 16 days of activism, running national activities such as Friday Sermon’s dedicated to raising awareness of the issue.
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 Gender-Based Violence (GBV) include physical and sexual violence, psychological abuse, financial exploitation, human trafficking, harassment and coercive behavior.
Around the world up to 50 per cent of sexual assaults are committed against girls under the age of 16. More than 60 million girls worldwide are child brides having been married before the age of 18.
Islamic Relief’s 2016 report Invisible Lives outlined the plight of Syrian women in Lebanon and the Kurdistan region in Iraq where there was a prevalence of gender-based violence. It highlighted violence against women as a major problem, and reported violence involving physical violence within the family or home, sexual violence including rape as well as forced or early marriage.
The 16 activism campaign began on 25 November and ends on 10 December, the United Nations Human Rights Day.
To read the Invisible Lives report, visit https://www.islamic-relief.org.za/invisiblelives