Every year, the United Nations-led 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign reminds us of the persistent struggles endured by women and girls across the world. In a remote corner of Nepal, one faith leader supported by Islamic Relief is helping to empower women, spearheading a quiet revolution against GBV and early/forced marriage.

Maulana Tabrej Alam’s story is a testament to how faith leadership and courageous action can drive profound social transformation, in this case challenging harmful practices such as early/forced marriage, sometimes referred to as child marriage, and starting to turn the tide against violence towards women and girls. 

A voice for change in a remote village

Tabrej, a 28-year-old religious scholar from Rajpur-1, Bhagwanpur in southeastern Nepal, is no ordinary cleric. Married at 14, Tabrej pursued higher education in Islamic studies, completing his Qaree level in Lucknow, India, before returning home with a mission that extended beyond theoretical religious teaching into practical action. His ambition was clear: to transform his community by addressing long-standing issues such as child marriage, domestic violence, and gender inequality.

Tabrej’s faith is both his anchor and compass. Drawing from Islamic principles of justice and equality, he recognises the urgent need to challenge the deeply entrenched social and cultural practices that harm so many women and girls in his community.

“In my municipality, people recognise me as a faith leader working for the betterment of all, and I see this as my responsibility to drive change,” Tabrej says, reflecting on his role as both a religious scholar and a social activist.

Faith as a force for justice

At the heart of Tabrej’s activism is his commitment to ending child marriage – a practice that stifles the hopes and dreams of so many girls and puts their health and future prosperity at risk.

Challenging child marriage has not been an easy fight. Many families are firmly rooted in traditions that include early marriage as a necessity. But Tabrej’s faith gived him the courage to take a stand.

He began by educating families on the damaging effects of child marriage, highlighting how it so often leads to girls dropping out of school, domestic abuse, and the marginalisation of women. Using Islamic teachings, he framed his arguments around justice and the importance of giving girls the chance to thrive.

“The Qur’an promotes equality and justice,” he explains. “It is my duty to ensure these values are upheld, especially for the most vulnerable.”

Tabrej’s work has led to notable successes. One of his proudest achievements was preventing the marriage of a young girl called Najahat at just 14. He convinced her parents to delay the marriage and ensure that she continued her education.

Najahat’s marriage was delayed by several years and, at the age of 20, she has now become a powerful advocate for girls’ education, inspiring others in her community. Thirteen other local girls have been saved from early marriage, and 5 have married without the oppressive tradition of dowry.

The power of community action

Tabrej stepped out in faith in the beginning, but he knew that ultimately, he would not succeed alone. His work took on a new dimension when he partnered with Islamic Relief Nepal’s Equal and Just Society by Reducing Gender-Based Violence (GARVA) project. The training and resources provided by the project empowered Tabrej to expand his reach and bring hope of a brighter future to more girls.

As a member of a Community Hope Action Team (CHAT), Tabrej has led workshops for faith leaders, community members, and members of Self-help Groups, educating them on harmful traditions and advocating for women’s rights.

“The support I’ve received through the GARVA project has been crucial,” Tabrej says. “It has allowed me to train others, organise events, and provide resources to those in need.”

Tabrej’s efforts have led to a significant reduction in child marriages, increased awareness of GBV, and ensured greater support for survivors of violence and abuse. Girls who were once discouraged from pursuing education are now excelling in school, thanks to changing attitudes within the community.

A fight far from over

Despite so many successes, Tabrej is acutely aware that many trials lie ahead. He wants to challenge the harmful practice of dowry and fight the epidemic of substance abuse that plagues his community.

His resolve is unwavering. “The fight is far from over, but with support from partners like Islamic Relief Nepal, I am confident we can make even greater strides.”

For Tabrej, faith is not just a belief system but a tool for social justice. His work highlights the crucial role religious leaders can play in transforming their communities by addressing long-standing injustices.

Faith in motion

As the world gets involved in the 16 Days of Activism campaign and reflects on what it takes to replace broken promises with practical action, Tabrej’s story reminds us that change begins at the grassroots level. His efforts show how faith can be a driving force for equality and justice. By combining religious teachings with social activism, he is helping the whole community to build a brighter future.

Now more than ever, communities must come together to support leaders like Tabrej, whose faith-driven activism offers hope for those fighting for a world free of violence and inequality.

If you want to make a lasting impact, donate today to help  leaders like Tabrej break the cycle of violence and poverty that so many girls and women endure.