It is 1 year since a brutal war erupted in Sudan (read here), pushing the country to the verge of famine and creating the world’s biggest displacement crisis. Many of Islamic Relief’s own staff have been deeply affected by the violence.
Elsadig Elnour, Islamic Relief’s Country Director in Sudan, reflects on the events of the past year as the war has spread across the country:
Since 15 April 2023 I’ve seen my country descend into violence, madness and destruction, neglected by the rest of the world. No one expected this to happen.
I was living in Khartoum when the war erupted. Now I’m in Port Sudan, on the Red Sea coast, in one of the few parts of the country still free from the violence. After this there is nowhere else to go other than into the sea. Unless there’s a change very soon, the country may collapse.
Everyone has lost everything. Everyone is traumatised. That’s how it feels to be Sudanese at this moment. We have lost loved ones, property, jobs, and the futures that we planned. Even the rich have become poor.
I spent the first 4 weeks of the war in Khartoum, barricaded under a bed with my family as shelling, airstrikes and street combat raged around us. My 2-month-old granddaughter came from the United States to visit us just before the fighting started. I had to watch her and her mother huddle with the rest of the family under the bed. It was very painful for me to see that.
Bodies lined the roads. Going outside at any time was risky because these armed groups can simply decide to shoot you. Armed men went into houses, killing people, taking their belongings, raping women and carrying them away. We knew this could happen to us too. I was terrified for the girls in our household and the thought of my 2 sons, aged 26 and 27, being taken away and forced to fight.
We decided we had to leave Khartoum for the city of Gedaref in the southeast. The road was extremely dangerous. Armed men stopped us at a checkpoint and began harassing me in front of my family. I knew they wanted our car and needed me to become angry so they had an excuse to take it. They could have killed us all. I told my 2 sons not to react to the insults. After some time, we were allowed to leave, but that incident – after all the stress of the weeks before – has left scars on all of us. My sons have refused to discuss it since then.
As the conflict moves, so do we
Over the past year the conflict has spread to almost every corner of the country.
In December I was in Sudan’s second largest city, Wad Madani, when it was attacked. Hundreds of thousands more people were displaced. I managed to escape, but those attacks have changed the dynamics of the conflict. As the fighting has spread it has reached into many of the country’s main breadbasket regions, further disrupting food production. Farmers can’t reach their fields to plant and harvest their crops as it’s too dangerous.
As the fighting has moved further east, we had to move Islamic Relief’s main office, first from Khartoum to Gedaref and then from Gedaref to Port Sudan.
I have thought many times about leaving Sudan. But I love my country and I want to help my people through this terrible war. I am so proud of my team, who continue to serve our country despite everything we have lost ourselves. My own home in Khartoum is occupied by an armed group right now. The homes of 2 of my colleagues were hit by airstrikes. We are displaced people, serving other displaced people. Aid agencies like Islamic Relief are doing vital work and thanks to support from all over the world we have provided aid to more than 600,000 people across the country. But ultimately, we need peace.
On 15 April 2023, the lives of millions of Sudanese people were brutally ripped apart.
Fierce street battles broke out in the usually peaceful capital city of Khartoum. Families fled as bullets and shells tore indiscriminately through heavily populated neighbourhoods and bodies piled high in the streets.
Since then, a tornado of chaos has engulfed Sudan.
The war has spread to almost every corner of the country – turning urban neighbourhoods into rubble, destroying infrastructure and public services, and burning villages to the ground. Markets and hospitals have been attacked and fighting has affected many of the main agricultural regions.
Now, Sudan is on the verge of famine, with children starving to death. It is too dangerous for many farmers to access their fields and this year’s harvests are projected to be among the worst ever. The economy is collapsing at a staggering rate, pushing many families deep into poverty at a time when food prices are also rocketing. Much of the health system is destroyed and deadly diseases are spreading. Thousands of people have been killed and 24.8 million people – almost half the entire population – now need humanitarian assistance.
There is a risk that Sudan could collapse as a functioning state, which would have enormous regional and global impact.
Craving home and peace
The war has created the world’s largest internal displacement crisis, with 8.4 million people forced to flee their homes. 2 million of them are children under 5 years old.
Among the millions of displaced people are 23-year-old Gesma and her young children, who ran for their lives as bullets whizzed around their small house on the edge of Khartoum. Gesma’s husband was out at work in the market, and she hoped to reunite somewhere safer. But she never heard from him again and doesn’t even know if he’s still alive.
Gesma was heavily pregnant when she escaped Khartoum and a few months later she gave birth to twins in a sprawling camp in eastern Sudan. She named them Watan (meaning Home) and Salaam (meaning Peace) – 2 things that millions of people in Sudan crave more than anything else but remain out of reach.
Sudanese communities are renowned for their generosity and impoverished families have given shelter to many of the displaced people – sharing their homes, food and water with them.
Islamic Relief CEO Waseem Ahmad says: “As rich nations increasingly shut their borders and cut international aid, it is both humbling and heartening to see the generosity of some of the world’s poorest communities.
“I’m inspired by our staff in Sudan who have suffered so much but remain dedicated to helping their country. Most of them have made perilous journeys to flee their homes and have lost relatives and friends. Sudan has become one of the most dangerous places to be a humanitarian worker. But despite the dangers, it is possible to deliver aid and Islamic Relief’s team has saved countless lives.”
A fatal lack of attention
Thanks to donations from all over the world, Islamic Relief has reached more than 600,000 people across Sudan with vital aid – providing food to families at risk of malnutrition, supporting overwhelmed health facilities, and providing hygiene and dignity kits to displaced women.
But the scale of the crisis means that much more is needed. The violence recalls the atrocities 20 years ago, when the crisis in Darfur – in western Sudan – became the most prominent in the world. Global leaders convened summits, A-list celebrities led huge public rallies, and eye-witness reports made TV headlines and front pages.
In comparison, today’s crisis is being forgotten or ignored.
This lack of attention has deadly consequences. A quarter of the way through the year, the UN-led 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan for Sudan has received just 5% of the $2.7 billion it needs. The 2023 appeal ended up less than half funded.
After a year of unimaginable horror, the people of Sudan urgently need more international attention and support.
Islamic Relief is calling for renewed efforts to secure an immediate ceasefire and a negotiated political settlement. Civilians must be protected. Parties to the conflict must ensure safe humanitarian access to people in need, and international governments must step up humanitarian assistance to prevent a catastrophic famine.
LABU, 16 Mac 2024 – Seramai 50 keluarga asnaf menerima bantuan pek makanan yang diagihkan oleh Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Islamic Relief Malaysia (IR Malaysia), Mohd Shukor Tahir dalam program MySinggah Ramadan yang diadakan di Surau Al-Mustaqim.
Mohd Shukor berkata, agihan itu merupakan sebahagian daripada projek Rezeki Ramadan IR Malaysia tahun ini yang menyasarkan bantuan kepada lebih 6,000 keluarga kurang berkemampuan di seluruh Malaysia.
“Dalam usaha untuk meringankan beban masyarakat semasa bulan Ramadan ini, Islamic Relief Malaysia meneruskan bantuan Rezeki Ramadan bertujuan untuk memastikan bahawa setiap penerima mempunyai bekalan untuk berbuka dan bersahur selain dapat merasai kegembiraan dan keberkatan bulan yang penuh rahmat ini.
“Berat sama dipikul, ringan sama dijinjing, begitulah matlamat Islamic Relief Malaysia di dalam menyantuni golongan yang terkesan dan memerlukan di Malaysia. Kami berterima kasih kepada semua penyumbang dan sukarelawan yang turut menjayakan projek ini,” katanya.
Sementara itu, salah seorang penerima manfaat yang ditemui, Nurul Atiqah, 48 tahun, berkata bantuan yang diterima sangat membantu keluarganya apatah lagi dalam keadaan ekonomi sekarang.
“Alhamdulillah, bantuan ni sangat membantu akak sekeluarga. Sekurang-kurangnya akak tak perlu beli beras. Insya-Allah, pek makanan ni dapat bertahan dalam tempoh sebulan,” katanya.
Dalam program MySinggah Ramadan kali ini, IR Malaysia bekerjasama dengan empat rakan kemanusiaan iaitu Surau Al-Mustaqim, Kumpulan Megaklinik Zahran, Persatuan Mahasiswa Johor (PERMAJ) UKM dan Jabatan Kejuruteraan Elektrik (JKE) Politeknik Shah Alam.
Selain agihan pek makanan, antara aktiviti lain yang dijalankan sepanjang program ialah gotong-royong pembersihan, aktiviti remaja dan kanak-kanak, ujian saringan kesihatan percuma, merewang dan memasak, ziarah asnaf dan ceramah Ramadan.
Program tersebut turut dimeriahkan dengan kehadiran Ikon Kemanusiaan IR Malaysia, Azalinor Abdul Rahman dan Ahmad Zuhaidi Abdul Aziz daripada kumpulan Saujana serta Timbalan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif IR Malaysia, Siti Fadilah Mohd Hood.
Dalam pada itu, sukarelawan dari JKE Politeknik Shah Alam, Magdelyn, 20 tahun, yang mengendalikan aktiviti kanak-kanak berkata, program MySinggah Ramadan dapat merapatkan hubungan terutama kanak-kanak dalam komuniti tersebut.
“Saya nampak adik-adik ni semakin aktif dan dapat banyak ilmu bila kita buat kuiz. Daripada biarkan mereka asyik dengan gajet, lebih baik buat aktiviti macam ni.
“Saya galakkan remaja-remaja dari umur 16 tahun atau 13 tahun sekalipun, joinlah aktiviti sukarelawan. Walaupun masih muda, banyak yang boleh kita belajar,” kata pelajar jurusan Kejuruteraan Elektronik (Perubatan) itu.
Bagi menjayakan misi menyantuni masyarakat di bulan Ramadan tahun ini, IR Malaysia akan meneruskan program MySinggah Ramadan di lokasi kedua pada 23 Mac 2024 di Masjid Al-Huda, Sungai Besar, Selangor.
Dikurniakan kehidupan yang baik dan stabil tidak sekali pun menjadikan wanita ini terus berada di zon selesa, malah kudrat yang ada disalurkan pula kepada mereka yang memerlukan melalui misi kemanusiaan yang disertainya sejak 17 tahun lalu.
Berkesempatan menemui Siti Fadilah Mohd Hood, 41, baru-baru ini menyingkap pembabitan wanita ini dalam bidang kemanusiaan yang begitu dekat di hatinya sejak bergelar pelajar di Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) dalam jurusan Kejuruteraan Bioteknologi.
Menurut Siti Fadilah, pada waktu itu, aktiviti amal dan kemasyarakatan ialah sesuatu yang biasa bagi pelajar-pelajar UIAM tetapi tidak bagi pelajar-pelajar kejuruteraan yang banyak menghabiskan masa di makmal dan bengkel.
Melihat rakan-rakan daripada Fakulti Ekonomi, Sains Kemanusiaan, dan Undang-Undang yang aktif berpersatuan, Siti Fadilah turut berhasrat untuk terlibat dengan aktiviti kesukarelawan satu hari nanti.
“Alhamdulillah, sepanjang belajar di UIAM, saya sempat mengikuti satu aktiviti kesukarelawan bersama orang asli. Sejak itu, saya memasang niat untuk terus melakukan kerja-kerja amal.
“Saya masih ingat, waktu saya hamil anak pertama dan sedang menyiapkan projek tahun akhir di dalam makmal, saya pernah terdetik ‘kalaulah saya boleh bertukar bidang’..,” katanya.
Belajar dalam bidang yang menuntut Siti Fadilah untuk sentiasa fokus dan tekun membuatkan niat menyertai kerja sosial terbatas. Pada masa yang sama membuatkan Siti Fadilah turut meronta-ronta ingin menerokai peluang di mana dia boleh membantu ramai orang. Tidak pernah menyesal dengan jurusan yang diambil, malahan ilmu yang diperolehi dimanfaatkan sebaiknya dalam bidang kemanusiaan.
Mengenai pembabitan Siti Fadilah dalam pertubuhan bukan Kerajaan (NGO) Islamic Relief Malaysia (IR Malaysia), ia bermula pada tahun 2005 dimana dia terlibat sebagai sukarelawan di dalam majlis pelancaran IR Malaysia yang dirasmikan oleh Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.
Selepas tamat belajar, Siti Fadilah memohon kekosongan jawatan di IR Malaysia. Andai takdir sudah tertulis, tiada siapa dapat menghalang. Siti Fadilah diterima bekerja di IR Malaysia pada tahun 2007 dengan jawatan pertama sebagai Fundraising Support Assistant.
Peluang itu membuka ruang seluas-luasnya kepada Siti Fadilah untuk terus bergiat aktif secara langsung dalam kerja-kerja amal dan kebajikan.
Masih segar dalam ingatan Siti Fadilah apabila mendapat tugasan pertama untuk membuka kaunter pameran di sebuah masjid pada waktu solat Jumaat.
Waktu itu, bukan mudah bagi Siti Fadilah untuk berhadapan dengan kelompok orang lelaki apatah lagi waktu itu, masyarakat Malaysia tidak begitu mengenali dan terdedah dengan NGO-NGO kemanusiaan. Jadi, agak sukar untuk Siti Fadilah berikan penerangan dan memperkenalkan IR Malaysia kepada kumpulan sasar.
Walaupun dipandang serong dan disoal, Siti Fadilah cekalkan hati dan meneruskan aktiviti tersebut kerana Siti Fadilah yakin tentang misinya untuk membantu insan-insan memerlukan di seluruh dunia!
Pengalaman sebegitulah yang membentuk dan menguatkan diri Siti Fadilah sehingga hari ini. Tambahan pula, landskap kemanusiaan telah mula berubah sejak beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini. Masyarakat mula cakna dan anak-anak muda dilihat aktif melakukan kerja-kerja amal dan kebajikan.
“Tahun 2007-2010, saya banyak melakukan tugasan di dalam Malaysia, sehinggalah pada tahun 2011, saya diberi peluang untuk menghadiri bengkel anak yatim di Indonesia bersama Islamic Relief global.
“Waktu tu, baru saya terbuka minda dan mata hati betapa besarnya Islamic Relief dan gerak kerja yang dijalankan sangat berstruktur, teratur dan terkehadapan. Yang saya paling kagum masa tu, Islamic Relief mempunyai sistem yang dapat menguruskan penajaan ribuan anak yatim daripada 40 rangkaian pejabat Islamic Relief!” katanya.
Bagi Siti Fadilah, bengkel itu benar-benar membuka minda dan memberi kesedaran kepadanya bahawa dia perlu melangkah ke hadapan. NGO yang disertainya bukan NGO biasa tetapi sebuah badan berstruktur yang ditadbir dengan baik di lebih 40 negara.
Sejak itu, Siti Fadilah mula memikirkan cara bagaimana untuk menjadikan IR Malaysia lebih dikenali hingga ke peringkat global. Satu demi satu langkah diambil bagi memastikan impiannya tercapai.
Hari ini, Siti Fadilah yang kini memegang tanggungjawab sebagai Timbalan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif IR Malaysia bersyukur apabila melihat organisasi itu telah bergerak jauh dalam menghulurkan khidmat bakti membantu golongan rentan di Malaysia dan di luar negara.
Siti Fadilah juga bertuah kerana sepanjang pembabitan dalam dunia kemanusiaan, suami dan ibu bapa menjadi tulang belakang dalam menguruskan lima orang anak dan keluarga ketika komitmen kerja menuntut pengorbanan masa dan tenaganya.
Siti Fadilah aktif turun padang melakukan kerja-kerja pembersihan pasca banjir di Shah Alam
Wanita pencetus perubahan masyarakat dan negara
Bagi menghargai peranan dan pencapaian wanita, baru-baru ini, seluruh dunia telah meraikan golongan wanita daripada seluruh lapisan masyarakat sempena Hari Wanita Antarabangsa yang disambut pada 8 Mac setiap tahun.
Sebagai seorang wanita yang telah lama berkecimpung dalam bidang ini, Siti Fadilah turut berkongsi betapa golongan wanita memainkan peranan yang sangat penting dalam pembangunan masyarakat dan negara.
Selaras dengan Matlamat Pembangunan Mampan oleh Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) yang menekankan aspek gender equality atau kesaksamaan gender dalam salah satu objektifnya, IR Malaysia turut menerapkan agenda ini dalam gerak kerja bantuannya.
“Di Islamic Relief, kesaksamaan yang dibawa ialah dari sudut memberi peluang kepada wanita-wanita untuk mengubah masa depan atau meningkatkan taraf hidup keluarga mereka.
“Kami beri fokus pada wanita samada ibu tunggal atau keluarga yang diketuai oleh wanita dan kebanyakan program yang Islamic Relief jalankan untuk membantu mereka bersifat jangka masa panjang atau kehidupan lestari.
“Keutamaan Islamic Relief ialah untuk membangunkan ekonomi mereka dengan cara memberi latihan, mengasah skil dan kemahiran atau menambah baik perniagaan sedia ada supaya mereka dapat kembangkan lagi pendapatan mereka contohnya dari RM500 ke RM6,000 sebulan.
“Kami juga pernah ada kajian kes seorang penerima manfaat yang dapat menambah pendapatan dari RM1,000 ke RM15,000 sebulan hasil bantuan dan bimbingan yang diberikan,” katanya.
Tambah Siti Fadilah, antara projek-projek IR Malaysia yang dilaksanakan untuk membantu golongan wanita ialah Growth Entrepreneurship Assistance Programme (GRAP), Goft of Hope (GOH), Smart Farming di Sabah dan projek kehidupan mampan di Sarawak.
Selain membantu golongan wanita di dalam Malaysia, IR Malaysia turut meluaskan bantuan di luar negara. Sebagai contoh, IR Malaysia pernah menyalurkan dana ke Bangladesh, bukan sahaja untuk membangunkan ekonomi wanita, bahkan membangunkan kesatuan wanita supaya boleh melindungi sesama mereka jika berlaku apa-apa kes seperti keganasan rumah tangga, perkahwinan kanak-kanak dan lain-lain.
Berkongsi pengalaman ketika menyertai Misi “Caring World” ke Bangladesh Oktober tahun lalu, Siti Fadilah menyifatkan stigma terhadap golongan wanita di Bangladesh masih menebal terutama di kawasan pedalaman.
“Bagi masyarakat di sana, golongan wanita tak perlu belajar tinggi-tinggi. Cukup sekadarnya sahaja dan kemudian perlu berkahwin awal. Stigma ini yang Islamic Relief cuba padamkan.
“Islamic Relief bukan sahaja melatih mereka untuk mencari sumber pendapatan tetapi juga memberi pendidikan kepada mereka tentang hak-hak mereka sebagai wanita.
“Antara model projek yang dijalankan di Bangladesh, kami mengumpulkan 400 orang wanita dari pelbagai kampung. Mereka dibahagikan kepada 25 kumpulan dan setiap kumpulan mempunyai ahli seramai 20-25 orang.
Siti Fadilah (baju biru) bersama ahli kumpulan wanita di Bangladesh.
“Setiap kumpulan ini akan menyertai kelas atau bengkel bagaimana untuk mencari pendapatan, bagaimana untuk bertani, berternak dan bagaimana nak gandakan pendapatan.
“Paling penting, setiap kumpulan ini juga diajar bagaimana untuk bertindak jika mereka mengalami gangguan atau ditindas. Melalui kumpulan ini juga, Islamic Relief mendidik mereka untuk mengejar impian dengan menyambung pelajaran ke peringkat tertinggi.
“Alhamdulillah setakat ini, bantuan yang Islamic Relief sumbangkan, memberi impak dan hasil yang sangat memberangsangkan,” kongsi Siti Fadilah.
Ditanya mengenai diskriminasi terhadap kaum wanita, Siti Fadilah bersyukur kerana sebagai rakyat Malaysia, wanita di sini mendapat peluang yang sama rata untuk berada di dalam posisi strategik dan penting di dalam sesebuah organisasi.
Ia sekaligus dapat mengangkat martabat wanita untuk memimpin, berdaya saing, melangkah ke hadapan dan meraih kejayaan.
Siti Fadilah bersama kakitangan IR Malaysia menzahiran solidariti #InspireInclusion sempena Hari Wanita Antarabangsa 2024.
“Selari dengan tema International Women’s Day (IWD) tahun ini, iaitu Inspire Inclusion atau tema sambutan kebangsaan, ‘Wanita Dijulang Negara Gemilang’, tema ini sendiri mempromosikan betapa budaya inklusiviti itu sangat penting.
“Dalam kalangan wanita sendiri tak boleh ada perbezaan. Perbezaan dari segi kebolehan itu memang berlaku tapi tak boleh dijadikan asbab atau alasan untuk sisihkan atau asingkan seseorang itu jika kita rasa dia tak berkebolehan. Sebaliknya, kita kena beri peluang sama rata kepada semua.
“Jadi, sokongan itu perlu kuat sesama wanita. Sama-sama kita raikan perbezaan dan kita perlu faham, perbezaan itu sebenarnya adalah keistimewaan untuk kita lebih bersatu. Berlainan tak semestinya perlu berlawanan tetapi kena raikan supaya bersatu dan akhirnya kita dapat bersama-sama dengan lebih harmoni dan kejayaan dapat dicapai dengan lebih bermakna.
“Apatah lagi dalam dunia kemanusiaan, kalau tiada inklusiviti, makin ramai orang tersisih, sedangkan kita perlu mengangkat golongan yang memerlukan, yang dipinggirkan dan kita perlu membantu mereka berada bersama-sama dengan kita. Jadi budaya inklusiviti ini adalah sesuatu yang kita perlu amalkan, terapkan, selari juga dengan ajaran Islam yang menekankan aspek adil dan meraikan sesama kita,” kongsi Siti Fadilah.
Selain Indonesia dan Bangladesh, antara pembabitan Siti Fadilah dalam menjalankan misi di luar negara termasuklah di Filipina, Jordan, Malawi, Somalia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosova, Albania, Macedonia, dan Turkiye. Bagi Siti Fadilah, setiap negara ini mempunyai cerita dan cabarannya tersendiri yang meninggalkan kesan mendalam terhadap dirinya.
Melihat dan ‘merasa’ rakan-rakan di pejabat lapangan yang setiap hari sanggup berkorban, berdedikasi dan komited dalam menjalanan amanah membuatkan Siti Fadilah merasa kagum kerana kebanyakan daripada mereka bertugas melebihi waktu pejabat demi memastikan setiap ringgit atau bantuan yang disalurkan untuk sesuatu projek, dilaksanakan dengan sebaiknya.
Siti Fadilah juga pernah menziarahi rakan-rakan di pejabat IR yang lain seperti Sweden, Germany, Netherland, UK dan ibu pejabat sendiri di Birmingham. Banyak ilmu dan pengalaman yang diperoleh ketika berada di negara-negara tersebut.
Perbezaan warna kulit, agama, bangsa dan bahasa bukan menjadi penghalang buat Siti Fadilah tetapi itulah yang menguatkan ikatan mereka sebagai sebuah keluarga. Setiap kali balik ke Malaysia, Siti Fadilah menanam niat untuk membantu lebih ramai lagi insan yang kesusahan di luar sana. Bagi Siti Fadilah, tiada apa yang lebih penting selain dapat manfaatkan kelebihan diri kepada insan lain selari dengan sebuah hadis, “Sebaik-baik manusia adalah yang paling bermanfaat bagi manusia (lain).” (Hadis Riwayat at-Tabrani)
International women’s day 2024: Najah Almugahed, Gender Protection and Inclusion Advisor at Islamic Relief examines how the needs vs rights debate applies to women in humanitarian crises, calling for more aid to cover women’s basic needs.
After nearly a decade residing away from home, I managed to go back for a visit last year. Home is Yemen, which is experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Despite the joy of reuniting with family and friends, witnessing the devastation of basic services, extreme poverty and higher rates of inequality left its mark on my heart. The reality painted a grim picture of a population teetering on the brink of famine, with two-thirds in dire need of humanitarian assistance and protection services, according to UNHCR.
In addition to these challenges, I observed a subtle shift in gender roles. Women in Yemen are increasingly taking on ‘productive’ roles – engaging in income-generating activities and breaking into traditionally male-dominated jobs such as waitressing or retail. However, this shift in Yemen and elsewhere is often sparked by necessity, rather than a genuine commitment to equal rights and opportunities. Even with expanded responsibilities, women continue to shoulder the traditional roles of homemaking and caregiving without a corresponding reduction in expectations.
Women in humanitarian crises
Wars, conflicts, and natural disasters affect everyone in society, but they also exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, impacting women and girls differently. Women are compelled to fill in for their absent male providers, often without any additional support or protective systems and policies. This exposure might increase their risks of gender-based and sexual exploitation and abuse.
We’re seeing horrific figures emerge from the ongoing conflict in Sudan, showing that women and girls are being targeted with sexual violence and rape. The UN Human Rights Office in Sudan has received reports of 21 incidents of conflict-related sexual violence against at least 57 women and girls. The actual number is thought to be much higher as parts of the country remain challenging to access, and there is a lot of social stigma associated with reporting sexual violence.
Our livelihood projects, such as this honey cultivation initiative in Indonesia, support women to build sustainable incomes
In Syria and Yemen, we’ve seen the number of early marriages, also known as child marriages, increase during conflict. Rates are 4 times higher in Syria now than before the crisis began. In Yemen, rates have increased from 32% to 52% in recent years, as dowries have increased and poor families use early marriages as a coping mechanism to survive, using dowries to feed other family members.
In Gaza, more than 30,000 people have been killed since October, and 70% of them are women and children. Nearly 2 million people, including 1 million women and girls, are currently displaced. Pregnant and lactating women are at a particular risk of malnutrition for them and their babies with limited to no access to health care. Islamic Relief staff in Gaza report pregnant women enduring C-sections without anaesthetic or painkillers, newborn infants starving to death, and a shortage of menstrual hygiene materials leading to women and girls developing infections as they resort to using any scraps of cloth or torn clothing they can find.
A ‘gendered’ humanitarian response
As humanitarian organisations like Islamic Relief are expected to respond to the many ongoing crises around the world, the sector must consider a ‘gendered’ response. This means delivering aid programmes in an equitable form, prioritising the ones who are most in need.
We must identify and respond to the distinct needs of people experiencing crises through direct and meaningful participation in designing and implementing projects, focusing on the most vulnerable groups. It is the first step to providing access to essential services for women and children, including pregnant and lactating women, older women, and women and girls with disabilities. This short-term response aligns with the long-term goal of achieving gender equality and fulfilling human potential.
Girls receive a food parcel from Islamic Relief in Sindh, Pakistan
Islamic Relief prioritises women and girls in our humanitarian response. We specifically focus on supporting families headed by women through initiatives such as orphan-sponsorship programmes, or unconditional cash, and livelihoods opportunities for women.
Using a protective and inclusive framework ensures that women and girls’ needs are central to Islamic Relief’s response, where we explore all the potential risks and barriers to accessing services and ensure the most vulnerable groups have access to programmes. It is exemplified by initiatives such as mobile clinic services in northwest Syria that allows pregnant and lactating women and others to benefit from health services without additional costs.
Needs vs rights debate
There exists a nuanced debate between individuals’ needs and rights, particularly in a humanitarian context. It centres on whether addressing basic needs should precede ensuring fundamental rights. While there is consensus that immediate needs must be urgently met, the debate arises when initial emergency responses move into phases that include development work, in which both basic needs and fundamental rights are crucial.
Gender equality and empowering women and girls to fulfil their human potential is both a fundamental right and a necessity in order for societies to prosper. Within humanitarian programming, there is a spectrum for a ‘gendered’ response, starting with providing access to basic services and progressing into advocating for transformative gender equality rights.
While considering the rights of women and girls, it is also essential to acknowledge that, for many in humanitarian crises, conversations about gender equality might seem like a luxury. Honing into providing access to basic needs for women and girls is more relatable to their lived realities. Humanitarian projects should have long-term impact and address gender inequality; however, women and girls need to have their food, water, hygiene, health and education needs covered first. It is their social right, as well as need, I don’t find the 2 terms to be mutually exclusive but rather a matter of choosing an acceptable language to achieve the overall aim.
International Women’s Day 2024
As we mark this International Women’s Day 2024, under the theme ‘Inspire Inclusion,’ it is vital to recognise women in humanitarian crises.
The theme underscores the value of including women in all aspects of life, emphasising an inclusive workforce, economy, and decision-making processes. This idea also applies to humanitarian work. Estimates show that 4.5% of the world’s population needs humanitarian assistance and at least half of this number are women and girls. While advocating for gender rights is essential, prioritising the fulfilment of basic needs is fundamental.
In commemorating International Women’s Day, let us acknowledge the ongoing struggles faced by women in humanitarian crises. While the goal is to see women included in various industries and decision-making roles, with reduced caregiving burdens and a genuine belief in their equal rights, the pressing reality calls for addressing their immediate needs first. Only by securing a foundation of basic living conditions can we pave the way for meaningful discussions on gender rights and equality.
The ongoing debate on needs vs rights will persist as the gap in fulfilling needs expands. I look forward to the day when we can celebrate women’s rights and potential on International Women’s Day, rather than still needing to strive for basic and immediate needs. I look forward to a time when more women are doing ‘productive’ jobs because they have the right to choose to do so, not because circumstances force them to.
Islamic Relief supports women and girls around the world to pursue an education, access healthcare and build sustainable incomes. We also work to address harmful cultural practises that contribute to inequality. Please help us to continue this vital work.
This International Women’s Day, Islamic Relief is celebrating women like Oummou, who is leading the charge to inspire change in Mali.
Domestic violence is commonplace in many parts of western Africa, where society is still largely dominated by men. Determined to confront this is Oummou, who works at a radio station in the small town of Dio-Gare in southern Mali.
As a child, Oummou saw her father and the community around her mistreat her mother. Oummou’s mother had many daughters but only one son, which the community considered shameful. Oummou was also deeply troubled by the other ways in which women were treated in her community, where it was common for men to beat their wives and the community would punish women for perceived disobedience by breaking their hands.
Women suffering abuse were forbidden to tell anyone about their injuries, so they avoided going to the hospital. Witness to this, Oummou decided that if she were ever in a position to advocate for women, she would do so.
An uphill battle
Over the years, Oummou realised that her generation continued to perpetuate the same toxic and abusive behaviours that she grew up with. To push back against the normalisation of harmful practices, she decided to run for election in the local government.
“In the past, women were forbidden to access any government positions, but I fought hard to change this,” says Oummou. “After a long, uphill battle, I was successful and was elected advisor to the mayor [on gender and women’s rights issues].”
Many of her colleagues had never worked with a woman before, so Oummou faced a lot of resistance within the government. Even the mayor disapproved of her presence among his staff.
“I resisted all of the naysayers, despite them giving me a very difficult time, because I had great ambition to see more women rise up to occupy frontline positions,” she says.
Oummou used her position in government and job at the local radio station to reach as many people as possible. On the airwaves she was able to speak to a large audience, helping others in her area realise that they weren’t alone.
Oummou‘s activism came with a heavy price however, as the community she cared for, initially shunned her, considering her to be rebellious. Sharing those views, her husband divorced her.
“I didn’t let this new setback stop me from achieving my dreams. I persevered and eventually gained respect and acceptance of my work within the local government. I became a fixture due to using my radio show as a platform to educate and advocate around issues facing the town, especially creating awareness about issues like gender-based violence and matters pertaining to women that were considered taboo.”
Making a difference
Oummou’s radio work and her work at the town hall complemented each other, and over the years the mayor came to see Oummou’s potential and her determination to make a difference. Despite the difficult start to their relationship, there is now mutual trust and respect between them.
“I endured a lot of conflict when I first started. Not only did the men [in government] keep things from me, I was not invited to meetings, I was spoken to rudely.”
“In time many men realised that I would not be stopped regardless of what they did to me. My mission was clear: I wanted to show men that a woman can do what they do too, and that I have the same entitlements as them. So, when they wanted to put me in my place, I made sure to stand tall.”
Standing up for women’s rights
Oummou says she is finally seeing the fruits of her labour, not only in the women that thank her for standing up for their rights, but also within her own family. She was reunited with her husband after many years, and he is now among her main supporters.
“The different roles we played in the past have come to an end, which has shown me that the advocacy I have been working on has been successful in our home. My husband now sits with our children and talks to them about the issues I cover in my radio show. The issues that used to divide us are now bringing us closer.”
On this International Women’s Day, Islamic Relief is celebrating Oummou and countless women like her, who are not only breaking barriers but also paving the way for future generations of women leaders.
Oummou’s story is a powerful reminder of the strides we can make when we champion inclusion and celebrate the women who are at the forefront of this transformative movement.
Support our vital work to empower women in Mali and around the world: please donate now.
After nearly a decade residing away from home, I managed to go back for a visit last year. Home is Yemen, which is experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Despite the joy of reuniting with family and friends, witnessing the devastation of basic services, extreme poverty and higher rates of inequality left its mark on my heart. The reality painted a grim picture of a population teetering on the brink of famine, with two-thirds in dire need of humanitarian assistance and protection services, according to UNHCR.
