News releases

We welcome the conviction of a man who sent a young girl to Iraq for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) – a legal first in England and Wales. This conviction sends a powerful message that FGM is a violation of human rights and will not be tolerated. However, we are deeply concerned by the judge’s comments suggesting “an element of cultural pressure” behind his actions. We want to be clear that cultural justifications must never be used to excuse...

As we approach the second anniversary of Jina Mahsa Amini's murder by the Islamic Republic for not wearing a “proper” hijab, IKWRO stands firm in our call for Women, Life, Freedom—the movement that has grown from Iran and Kurdistan, echoing across the globe and demanding an end to the systemic discrimination and oppression faced by women. The courage of women inside Iran continues to inspire us, as they take bold stands against an oppressive regime despite worsening conditions. Women...

This week marks three years since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, a period characterised by a relentless crackdown on civil and women’s rights. Since 2021, Afghan women and girls have faced a devastating rollback of their rights, including bans on education, work, and participation in public spaces. These policies have not only isolated women and girls from society but have also diminished their autonomy and opportunities to contribute to their communities. There have been deeply troubling...

The Scottish Government, in partnership with COSLA, has launched its latest Equally Safe Delivery Plan aimed at tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) across Scotland. We at IKWRO are particularly encouraged by the government’s new focus on “Honour”-Based Abuse, recognising it as a distinct and grave form of gendered violence that requires specific attention and tailored interventions. For the first time, “Honour”-Based Abuse is being addressed with a dedicated approach within Scotland’s strategy to combat gendered violence....

As an organisation dedicated to defending women’s and human rights, IKWRO strongly condemns the shocking violence in Southport, where three young girls tragically lost their lives and many others were attacked. Our thoughts are with the victims’ families and all those affected. We reaffirm our belief that every woman and girl deserve to live a life free from violence and harm. We are equally horrified by the escalating violence targeting ethnic and religious minorities, as well as migrant...

On 3rd July 2024, Aminan Rahman, 46, was found guilty by a unanimous jury at the Old Bailey of murdering Suma Begum, 24, in a flat in east London on 29th April last year, in what IKWRO – Women’s Rights Organisation believes to be a so-called “honour” killing.  Aminan committed the “honour” killing in front of their two children, then aged four months and two years. Suma’s online boyfriend, who was the same age as her, also witnessed...

Thank you to every one of you who has supported us this year, and a warm welcome to new supporters. This International Women’s Day, our hearts are broken by the devastation being wrought on Gaza, where two-thirds of the tens of thousands of people killed are women and children. In Ukraine, too, women continue to face the horrors of war. Peace cannot wait. We stand in solidarity with women in Afghanistan and Iran, denied their rights and facing harsh...

IKWRO marks the first anniversary of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022, a pivotal legislation that came officially into force on 27 February 2023. This means that individuals aged 16 and 17 are no longer permitted to marry or enter into a civil partnership, irrespective of parental consent. This legislation also extends its jurisdiction to marriages arranged abroad, as well as non-legally binding customary, religious or traditional ceremonies whether registered or not, ensuring full protection for all...

We express our profound sorrow for the tragic loss of lives and violence endured by both Palestinians and Israelis in the past two months. As an organisation dedicated to women's and human rights, we are deeply troubled by the disproportionate impact of these attacks on women, children, and other vulnerable groups, with a staggering 67% of the casualties being women and children. The situation in Gaza is dire, with 1.7 million people displaced and facing severe shortages of...