International Day of the Girl Child: Ashamoni’s journey towards empowerment and education

International Day of the Girl is a worldwide celebration of the importance, power, and potential of girls around the globe, and focuses attention on the particular problems they can face. This year, Islamic Relief brings you the story of Ashamoni.

Early marriage – often called child marriage – is common in rural Bangladesh despite laws preventing girls marrying before the age of 18. Young girls are often viewed by their families as a problem that only marrying them away at an early age can solve.

This issue is rife in the district of Kurigram in northern Bangladesh where 70% of the population are living in poverty, with conditions often made worse by the impacts of climate change.

These harsh conditions have heightened the vulnerability of the local population, leading to an increase in school dropout rates and a significantly higher incidence of child marriage compared to other parts of Bangladesh.

“We felt completely helpless”

12-year-old Ashamoni is from a poor village in the district of Kurigram. Ashamoni’s father, Altab, works as a day labourer, while her mother, Saheba, is a homemaker. It is a constant struggle for the parents to bring in income due to the limited work available in the region, which is often seasonal.

Altab occasionally travels to larger cities like Rangpur or Dhaka to work as a rickshaw puller, but even then, his earnings are never enough to support the family.

Conflict and environmental challenges, such as floods, have forced the family to move from village to village. They lived in relatives homes packed into overcrowded houses and took on extra responsibility caring for an uncle.

“Miseries have clung to my life like stubborn stains,” Shaheba says. “Even after moving from my in-laws’ house to my father’s, nothing changed in our lives or livelihoods.”

Throughout all this, Shaheba and Altab were under immense pressure from relatives and neighbours to marry off Ashamoni, seeing it as an easy way to reduce their financial burden. At one point, her parents genuinely considered that as an option.

“We felt completely helpless. Like any parents, we had many dreams for our daughter’s future. But the harsh reality was that we could not even provide our only daughter with proper meals, so how could we afford her education?”  Shaheba explains.

“These worries were always on our minds, and eventually we considered marrying off Ashamoni, thinking at least she would be able to have enough to eat.”

A lifeline

It was around this time that the family came into contact with the Improve Protection of the Children at Risk through Soci-Economic Empowerment (PRiSE) in Ulipur, operated by Islamic Relief.

The project aims to reach 1,200 people, enhancing their livelihoods and providing essential support to ensure their children can continue their education.

Ashamoni’s family were selected as one of the beneficiaries of the project, receiving a grant of BDT 25,000 (approximately £160) to help generate their own income. Saheba invested the money in furniture making and firewood sales, which now generates a significant monthly income and has greatly improved the family’s financial stability.

With the monthly stipend, Ashamoni is able to continue attending school

Ashamoni also receives a monthly stipend of BDT 7,400 (£74) which helped her to buy books, copies and other school materials. Now in grade 6, Ashamoni has also been chosen as a member of a girls club, where she regularly participates in activities like reading, knowledge-sharing sessions, and learning about child rights, protection, and life skills.

“The girls club gives me an extra platform besides school to improve my cognitive skills and life knowledge. My communication skills have improved too, and I’m no longer shy when talking to others, which was not possible before joining the club,” Ashamoni says.

Looking to the future

Unlike many other girls in her community, Ashamoni is determined not to become a victim of early marriage. “I will never marry before achieving my dreams,” she remarked.

Now, with the project team’s support, Ashamoni is inspired to pursue those dreams and become a nurse.

“I want to serve patients and ease their suffering. I don’t want to be a nurse who works just for a paycheck. I want to be a compassionate, patient-centered nurse who takes responsibility for caring for people.”

With Ashamoni’s confidence, eagerness to learn, and determination to achieve her dreams, there is hope that she will one day become a change-maker as well as a leader in her community.

Shifting social attitudes takes time and patience. Islamic Relief is committed to advocating for the rights of women and girls around the world and in countries such as Bangladesh, including issues such as early marriage. Please help us continue this important work. Donate now.

new director

Director of Network and Resource Development

Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.

Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.

Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.

Nadeem Azhar

General Counsel

Nadeem joined Islamic Relief Worldwide in September 2022. He has worked in the charitable sector for over a decade.

He studied Modern History and Politics at Manchester University, and at the University of Law in London before qualifying as a solicitor in 2011.

Nadeem is an experienced corporate, commercial and governance lawyer, having worked with various faith-based and grant making charities as well those in health and education settings. He was a partner at a law firm in London before moving in-house where he focused on setting up and restructuring charities and social enterprises.

Most recently, Nadeem was Lead Counsel at Mind, a leading mental health charity, where he co-authored a new federation agreement, revamped legal processes, and played a major role in developing its strategic and fundraising partnerships.

Nadeem has been a charity trustee for the Seafarers Charity, as well as many grant-making bodies and theatre companies.

Adnan Hafiz

Director of Network and Resource Development

Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.

Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.

Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.

Board of Directors
Javed Akhtar

Director of Finance

Javed Akhtar has more than a decade of experience at Islamic Relief, having worked in a similar role between 2003-2014. In that role he strove to implement wide-ranging financial and accounting processes which aided in the transparent nature in which Islamic Relief now operates.

Javed also has diverse experience across the private sector, having worked at American chemicals and pharmaceutical giant DuPont, shipping firm FedEX and technology consultancy company Accenture. In all his roles, he prioritises using the latest technologies to improve monitoring and reporting at every level. Javed’s commitment to embracing digital end-to-end technology, enhancing accountability to our stakeholders and promoting financial transparency is ensuring that we remain at the forefront of financial developments in the sector.

By training, Javed is a chartered accountant with a Master’s degree in NGO Management with Charity Accounting and Financial Management from Cass Business School.
Board of Directors
Affan Cheema  

Director of International Programmes

Affan Cheema is an experienced leader who has spent 25 years working in the international aid sector on poverty eradication in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He has worked in fast onset emergencies, protracted crisis and development environments whilst working for Islamic Relief Worldwide and Care International. He is also a trustee of South West International Development Network (SWIDN).

Through his career Affan has held numerous roles including institutional fundraising, programme and grant management, and programme quality assurance.  Affan’s leadership has helped Islamic Relief Worldwide secure the highly coveted Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), seen as the sector’s premier benchmark for operational excellence.

Affan completed his BA in Economics and Geography from University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) and his MSc in Development Administration and Planning from the University of Bristol. He is PRINCE2 qualified, is a keen sportsman and recently co-edited a book entitled -Islam and International Development: Insights for working with Muslim Communities-.
Board of Directors
Dr Hossam Said

Managing Director, Humanitarian Academy for Development (HAD)

For nearly three decades Dr Hossam has provided the strategic vision to manage, lead and develop a range of international humanitarian interventions around the world.

At the start of his career, Dr Hossam served on the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, before moving to Islamic Relief Worldwide to manage the core global business activities as International Programmes Director.

During this time the organisation increased its global reach, gaining both domestic and international repute and credibility. Dr Hossam has also served on the Islamic Relief Worldwide Board of Management and Executive Committee for the past 15 years; sharing responsibility for strategic organisational development and the change management process, whilst forging strong relationships with many other charities.

Dr Hossam gained an MBA from Aston Business School in 2004 and graduated as a Medical Doctor from Cairo University in 1981.
Board of Directors
Martin Cottingham  

Director of External Relations and Advocacy

Martin Cottingham joined Islamic Relief in 2012 as IRUK Media Relations Manager, and was appointed Head of Communications in 2015 before taking up his current position as Director of External Relations and Advocacy for Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Martin has helped Islamic Relief to increase its mainstream media profile and expand its campaigning work, producing hard-hitting advocacy reports on floods in Pakistan (2011) famine in Somalia (2012) disaster risk reduction (2013) and aid to Afghanistan (2014). He has over 20 years’ experience working in media, communications and marketing roles for international development and environmental charities.

Martin graduated from the University of London with a degree in English and Drama (1982-85) then trained as a journalist with a postgraduate diploma at City University (1986-87). He has previously worked for Christian Aid as Editor of Christian Aid News and Media Relations Manager (1988-97) for Oxfam as Regional Campaigns Manager (1997-2000) and at the Soil Association as Marketing Director (2001-2006), as well as working for a wide range of organisations as a freelance writer, researcher and communications consultant.

Tufail Hussain

Director of Islamic Relief UK

Tufail Hussain has 17 years’ experience in the humanitarian and development sector, leading on marketing and fundraising campaigns for several organisations before joining Islamic Relief UK in 2016 as Deputy Director. Tufail was appointed Director of Islamic Relief UK in 2019 and in 2021 provided valuable leadership as interim CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Tufail is driven by a passion for empowering disadvantaged youth and mentors a number of young people. He also works to strengthen engagement between British Muslims and wider society. Under his leadership, Islamic Relief UK has significantly increased its income and developed successful partnerships with communities across the country. He has travelled around the world to raise awareness of major emergencies such as the Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan crises and the floods in Pakistan and Sudan.

A father to 5 daughters and a son, Tufail is also a sports enthusiast and passionate Liverpool FC supporter. Tufail has run the London Marathon twice, raising over £35,000 for humanitarian causes.

Before joining Islamic Relief he was CEO of Orphans in Need, where he oversaw a new strategy that increased income from £2 million to £9 million in 3 years and opened up new UK and international offices. Tufail is also a trustee of the Muslim Charities Forum and a Director of TIC International (Islamic Relief Worldwide’s clothes recycling and trading arm).
Waseem Ahmad

Chief Executive Officer

Waseem Ahmad joined the Islamic Relief family over 24 years ago, serving as Programme Officer in the Balochistan province of south-western Pakistan before becoming Head of Programmes in Pakistan. Waseem then moved to Oxfam and Tearfund before returning to Islamic Relief to establish our mission in Malawi. Later serving as Head of Programme Funding and Partnerships, Waseem led the response to major crises across the globe, including the East Africa drought, Pakistan earthquake and the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

Waseem then served for nearly 6 years as our Director of International Programmes, during which time the charity secured and retained the coveted Core Humanitarian Standard certification in recognition of the quality of our programming. He was appointed CEO of Islamic Relief in May 2021.

With a special interest in community mobilisation and infrastructure, Waseem received an MSc in Project Planning and Management from the University of Bradford, as well as an MSc in Economics from Arid Agriculture University in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Waseem has also worked for Lepra Health in Action and is a member of the International Civil Society Centre’s Board of Trustees. The father-of-3 enjoys walking and playing football, and is a keen birdwatcher.