This World Humanitarian Day, Islamic Relief (IR) is joining the international community in celebrating the incredible women humanitarians who are striving to make the world a better place. IR Head of Global Advocacy, Shahin Ashraf, explains why.
Women are often the unsung heroes not just of aid work but also of the work they do in their families and communities, helping people in need and securing peace.
As humanitarians, as health professionals and teachers, as carers, as peacemakers, so many women work tirelessly in the service of others.
“At Islamic Relief we have inspiring women working on the front line of aid delivery, both in emergency response and in lifting communities out of poverty.”
Women are a core part of the Islamic Relief workforce, serving the organisation in so many key roles, such as humanitarians, doctors, and advocates.
Most of the people Islamic Relief supports are women and children, and women are usually able to relate uniquely well to other women.
Islamic Relief is developing an Islamic Declaration on Gender Justice that aims to end the harm caused to women and girls in the name of faith.
Women undoubtedly face challenges in the workplace, such as being to the fore in critical grassroots roles and yet being unrecognised or unable to input at a strategic and management level.
The humanitarian aid sector needs to do more to eliminate these obstacles. We need to invest in female leadership in humanitarian work and also support women with more resources to fulfill their potential.
Original source: Islamic Relief
Published on 19 August 2019
