Broken promises is the poignant theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – a global United Nations-led campaign that Islamic Relief supports. For survivors of abuse around the world like Hajrija*, who endured 21 long years of violence at the hands of her husband, the safety and support they crave and the justice they deserve can feel out of reach or take years to materialise.

Hajrija’s story echoes the experiences of so many women. Born in 1980 in Uzbekistan, she moved to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1998 in search of a better life. But instead, her life became a prison of emotional, physical and psychological abuse after she got married in 2001.

Hajrija was subjected to 21 years of horrific violence and abuse by her husband. As he became consumed by gambling and drinking, their children became victims too. At one point, Hajrija and her children were locked in a single room for a week, fed only sporadically and terrorised by their father.

Hajrija’s escape came through an act of sheer bravery. Desperate to save her children, she escaped through a window and sought help from the police, begging for her children to be freed. It was then, in 2020, that she finally found refuge in a safe house.

A lifeline to survivors of abuse

Thanks to support from Islamic Relief, Hajrija and her children are now in a far better place. After settling into the safe house, Hajrija received counselling and support. She completed a nursing course to begin regaining her independence and finally, with the help of Islamic Relief, she was able to get a job caring for the elderly, giving her family a fresh start.

Hajrija’s children, still emotionally fragile, participate in creative activities that are organised to help them heal from their trauma. The divorce process from her abusive husband, mediated by social services, continues. But with a restraining order in place, Hajrija is slowly gaining the sense of peace and security she deserves.

Islamic Relief has played a crucial role in providing essential services to women like Hajrija. We offer them not only emergency assistance but also long-term support that them to get back on their own feet. Safe houses, counselling, and vocational training are among the ways in which Islamic Relief is helping to rebuild lives torn apart by domestic violence.

Broken promises

The theme of Broken Promises reflects the global failure to protect women from violence, but the message of the 16 Days campaign this year is also one of hope for a better future through practical action. Islamic Relief is working hard to provide real, tangible support that helps women escape from violence and rebuild their lives.

There are still countless women and children in need of the kind of safety and support that Hajrija now has. By donating to Islamic Relief, you can be part of our vital, transformative work. Together, we can ensure that no woman has to face the horrors of abuse alone.

Donate today so that we can continue to support survivors like Hajrija.

*Name has been changed to protect confidentiality