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.

Imam Soeroto, a respected religious leader from Central Java, Indonesia, always believed that faith held the key to justice and equality. For years, he guided his community through prayer and teachings, but it wasn’t until he began working with Islamic Relief that he realized the profound impact of positive masculinity.

Through workshops and community engagement, Imam Soeroto learned how faith could be a tool to reshape harmful gender norms. He began advocating for men to be protectors of dignity, encouraging them to challenge the deeply entrenched idea that masculinity must be tied to dominance or violence.

“True strength,” he would tell his congregation, “Is in compassion and respect, not in control or aggression.”

The concept of positive masculinity resonated with Soeroto on a personal level. He saw firsthand the broken promises made to women; promises of safety, respect, and equality that had been shattered by societal expectations of men.

Determined to change this, Imam Soeroto used his platform to speak openly about the importance of justice and equality in Islam, framing positive masculinity as an integral part of his faith.

His sermons now call on men to be allies in the fight against injustice, using their strength to uplift, not oppress. Through his leadership, men in his community are learning that true masculinity means upholding the values of empathy, respect, and shared responsibility for a just and peaceful society.

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