UKRI Future Leaders Fellow. SRF@UoB. Gender, Violence, Religion, Forced Migration & Humanitarianism. Connecting Research, Policy & Practice Cross-Culturally

Joined May 2010
352 Photos and videos
Join our webinar ‘Inspiring humanitarian, development and peace nexus futures: Exploring the value-based philanthropy for displaced women’.  📅Wednesday 17 June 2026 🕑12:00 pm (UK time) 👉 Register bham-ac-uk.zoom.us/webinar/r…  More info: makingaidwork.org/events/
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Excited our consultation was cohosted by Red Cross Kenya and we are forming together the regional working group on connecging Islamic Philanthropy, Women's Protection and Migration. It has been an interactive and inclusive event with committed specialists and humanitarian leaders
The Kenya Red Cross today hosted a multi-stakeholder consultation on Islamic philanthropy and women’s protection, under the Making Aid Work for Displaced Women initiative led by the University of Birmingham, with @ICHA_KRC co-facilitating. The session brought together humanitarian actors, faith-based organisations, policymakers and partners including IFRC, Islamic Relief, UNHCR and Irish Aid to explore how Islamic philanthropy can better support displaced and vulnerable women. A key outcome of the consultation was the establishment of a regional working group to strengthen partnerships and advance support for women affected by crises across East Africa. I
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Sandra Pertek retweeted
If we get this right Islamic philanthropy could reshape how we fund protection and support for displaced women across the region. Under the leadership of @IrshadIdris the momentum is building. KRCS with partners will establish the first regional working group on Islamic finance.
The Kenya Red Cross today hosted a multi-stakeholder consultation on Islamic philanthropy and women’s protection, under the Making Aid Work for Displaced Women initiative led by the University of Birmingham, with @ICHA_KRC co-facilitating. The session brought together humanitarian actors, faith-based organisations, policymakers and partners including IFRC, Islamic Relief, UNHCR and Irish Aid to explore how Islamic philanthropy can better support displaced and vulnerable women. A key outcome of the consultation was the establishment of a regional working group to strengthen partnerships and advance support for women affected by crises across East Africa. I
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📢 #Nairobi consultation invite Join us to explore how faith-sensitive approaches, incl. Islamic philanthropy, can better support displaced women. 👥 Open to NGOs, UN, FBOs, donors & refugee-led orgs 📍 Boma Hotel | In-person 👉 Apply: lnkd.in/er8jzqWW⁠� #MakingAidWork
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Paper alert! Our new framework is out: Gender and Forced Displacement in Islam: Advancing a Protection Framework for Women | Refugee Survey Quarterly academic.oup.com/rsq/advance…
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Great to see this new @OSCE resource on 'Engaging Religious Actors to End #VAWG' odihr.osce.org/node/661011 is informed by our scholarly work on religion, gender & violence. Pleased to moderate a session, with diverse faith traditions, on connecting religious actors with VAW work
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10 frontline practices for integrating faith sensitivity into #GBV work! Thanks to the Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children, Western University for developing this graphic based on our full briefing gbvlearningnetwork.ca/our-wo… #16days
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Today begins #16DaysofActivism against #GBV-a reminder of the urgent work to protect women & girls on the move. Here's Ayesha’s powerful story: pure-oai.bham.ac.uk/ws/porta…. Grateful to speak at the @ohchr session on #SV against migrants. Thanks @SilviaGaMac for organising the session
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Great news! We’ve launched a Policy Dialogue on “Pathways to Impact: Engaging with Islamic Philanthropy to Improve Protection Outcomes for Women” at @ICRC, exploring how #zakat, #sadaqah & #waqf can enhance dignity & protection for women. Thanks to all joining us! #MakingAidWork
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Sandra Pertek retweeted
Our humanitarian and migration experts are working with @ICRC and @ifrc to create a blueprint to help Islamic philanthropists better contribute to transforming humanitarian responses for displaced women birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/e…
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'The right to seek asylum was not invented 75 years ago. The moral obligation to provide refuge to those fleeing danger is enshrined in sacred texts across the world. Precisely because asylum is life-saving.'
“One of the greatest privileges to work with UNHCR is to straddle the boundaries between aid and diplomacy. To help refugees and, in so doing, help open doors to peace when peace seems impossible.” My statement at UNHCR’s Executive Committee meeting: 👇🏻 unhcr.org/news/speeches-and-…
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Sandra Pertek retweeted
My reflections on #UNGA80 side events: Faith in Humanitarianism: Stronger Than Ever at UNGA80. As humanitarian budgets shrink, faith in humanitarianism not only fills gaps - it reshapes the system. Its transformative potential depends on who is included. makingaidwork.org/maw-news/f…
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A call for Expressions of Interest for Refugee-led organisations and community-based researchers for data collection in Nairobi, Cox's Bazar, Ankara/Istanbul, Quetta, London/Bham as part of ‘Making Aid Work for Displaced Women’. makingaidwork.org/maw-news/c…
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We did it! Two days Symposium at @unibirmingham brought together global voices to reimagine humanitarian aid. Keynotes from @UNHCR & @OIC_OCI, panels on Islamic social finance, gender sensitivity & peacebuilding. Many ways of doing good! @UNmigration @ICRC makingaidwork.org
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Really enjoyed reviewing the Oxford Handbook on Women and Islam by Asma Afsaruddin. A rich, multi-disciplinary volume that challenges assumptions and centres Muslim women’s voices. 📖 Read my review (50 free copies): tandfonline.com/eprint/THAIS…
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