Author: nikkigirvan

Aislinn O’Dwyer – Chair of the Board

Aislinn has many years’ experience working as a senior public health professional with a community nursing background. She has 30 years’ of strategic management experience across the NHS, academia and local government. Aislinn was Director of Public Health at West Lancashire PCT and is a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health. Aislinn is also the Chair of East Cheshire NHS Trust. Aislinn has been a supporter of Savera UK from the beginning.

Yogita Parmar – Trustee

Yogita Parmar is an accomplished senior leader and business coach with 30 years’ of experience, and the founder of Melvue Ltd. She is recognised for improving efficiencies, productivity, boosting revenue streams and driving customer satisfaction.

She has an impressive track record working with teams in high pressured environments to increase collaboration, creativity, and agility, and she excels with team dynamics and creating a culture of a generative mindset.

Dr Susan Waigwa – Trustee

Dr Susan Waigwa is qualified in public health and social work with expertise both in practice and research. She has been working with marginalised communities; with victims/survivors of domestic abuse; with those affected or at risk of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and forced marriage. She has also been working around the wider women’s health issues associated with childbirth, menopause and ageing.

Nashaba Ellahi – Trustee

Nashaba Ellahi is an experienced Deputy Director of Nursing and Midwifery, with over 30 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, she has extensive experience in clinical and professional practice, education, acute and community Nursing and project management.

Responsibilities include the delivery of the professional and strategic development of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions and Safer Staffing. Transformational leader, driving positive changes, and a highly effective communicator with the ability to forge positive working relationships across professional boundaries and at all levels, including system leaders and governing bodies.

Salma Shah – Trustee

Salma Shah is the Founder of the unique award-winning Mastering Your Power an accredited coach training and inclusive leadership programme.She is also the author of the ground-breaking book, “Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging in Coaching, a motivational game changer of how to confidently and courageously meet the complex needs of all employees by taking actions that shift the dial towards creating inclusive and future-focused successful organisations”.

The book has been described as ‘timely, challenging and compassionate. There is an impressive list of teams and corporations that have sought Salma’s expertise including, Co-op Group, John Lewis Partnership, Pearson, Skipton Building Society, British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police.

Julia Sellers – Trustee

Julia Sellers is a safeguarding expert and currently Head of Student Services at the University of Liverpool. This role focuses on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of students. Julia has previously been Head of Services at PSS managing a wide range of services including the Health Trainers, Post Natal Depression Service and Spinning World, a service which offered psychological therapies to refugees and asylum seekers.

Iraq passes laws that could legalise child marriage

Iraq has passed amendments to a law that would in effect legalise child marriage. Currently the legal age for marriage in most cases is 18, but the amendments that were passed on Tuesday 21st January 2025 would allow clerics to interpret this law based on their interpretation of Islamic law.

This means that the law would effectively reduce the legal age of marriage from 18 years old to nine years old for girls, and 15 for boys. Those opposed to the changes say that this would disproportionately affect women and girls and have a disastrous effect on their human rights, violate the rights of children, and “disrupt the protection mechanisms for divorce, custody and inheritance for women.”

Those backing the changes defend them as a means to align the law with Islamic principles and to reduce western influence on Iraqi culture. However, the passing of the law caused controversy during the parliamentary session due to the voting process. 

Three laws, which are all supported by different groups in Iraqi parliament, were voted on together. This meant that half of the country’s lawmakers did not vote and many protested the process. This may mean that a legal appeal will be lodged with the federal court.

Savera UK CEO and founder, Afrah Qassim, said: “We are outraged to hear this shocking news today. If this vote stands it will see Iraq roll back progress made when marriage under the age of 18 was banned in 1959 and put children at risk of abuse and harm, as well as stripping away the rights of women and girls.

“The excuse of reducing western influence on Iraqi culture does not stand. Child and forced marriage is not a part of any culture or faith, it is abuse and a violation of human rights.

“The process used in the vote also means that this law has been passed without proper voting. We urge those within parliament opposed to it to challenge this decision and stand up for the human rights of the children who would be harmed by this law.

“We stand in solidarity with all those opposed to this law change and will take action necessary to apply pressure on Iraq’s lawmakers to prevent this law from coming into effect. Together we will end child marriage for good, everywhere in the world.”

Understand UK laws around child marriage with our fact sheet: https://www.saverauklearninghub.co.uk/forced-marriage-factsheet/

A look back on 2024: Afrah’s Reflections

As 2024 comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on a year filled with challenges, growth, and hope. On a personal level, the year began with difficulties that tested my family and me. Many friends and colleagues faced similar struggles, yet we were fortunate to have the support of loved ones who stood by us during trying times.

However, at times like this my thoughts often turn to the people we work directly with.  Those who are not as fortunate, who are forced to leave abusive environments and face overwhelming challenges alone, without the comfort of a loved one’s hug or the warmth of a supportive home.

As we rush to celebrate the festive season with family and friends, let’s take a moment to remember those who cannot. Share a hug, a smile, or a kind word whenever you can it might mean the world to someone.

Stronger Together

This year also brought significant local, national, and international challenges. Across the UK, riots erupted after the tragic knife attack in Southport, where three innocent children: Bebe King (6), Elsie Dot Stancombe (7), and Alice da Silva Aguiar (9) lost their lives. These riots were fuelled by false claims from far-right groups accusing the perpetrator of being a Muslim asylum seeker. This misinformation incited hatred, creating fear among many of our clients and even among some of our staff, who were at risk due to their backgrounds.

Despite this, our team demonstrated extraordinary bravery in continuing to support clients, even as we made the difficult decision to close temporarily for everyone’s safety. We were also comforted by the response from communities, here in Merseyside and in towns and cities around the country, where people came together to stand against hatred and defend those at risk, demonstrating how we are always stronger together.

The fight for basic human rights

Globally, women continued to bear the brunt of violence and systemic injustice. Examples include the Iraqi government’s intention to reduce the marriage age from 18 to nine years old, Iran’s imprisonment and torture of women demanding education and freedom, and similar abuse seen in Afghanistan and other places where human rights continue to not be considered. Along with those living in war zones, where women and children remain the most vulnerable, enduring unspeakable violence and abuse, these injustices continue to underscore the persistent fight for basic human rights.

Despite the challenges, 2024 did also see some steps forward. In Colombia, child marriage was banned, a positive sign for children’s rights, and in the UK, there was a landmark conviction for conspiring to commit female genital mutilation (FGM), highlighting the country’s commitment to ending ‘honour’-based abuse and harmful practices.

The power of community

At Savera UK, we have also seen the power of community engagement and collaboration to drive positive change. This year, our International Women’s Day event welcomed over 200 women from diverse backgrounds to celebrate achievements and raise awareness of the inequalities women still face.

We expanded our work in partnership with the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, leading to a 400 per cent increase in referrals in our first year. This collaboration has reinforced what we’ve always known: HBA and harmful practices can occur anywhere, and we must remain vigilant, and we must work collaboratively to identify and end these practices for good.

Throughout the year we have also worked with sector partners from across the UK, campaigning for a statutory definition for ‘honour’-based abuse, which would help to improve identification and responses to HBA and harmful practices.

Our ongoing partnership with the University of Liverpool this year also resulted in the publication of our second research paper, which has gained recognition both nationally and internationally.

Gratitude and Growth

I am incredibly proud of Savera UK’s growth this year. Our team has expanded, demonstrating the increasing need for our work. This progress would not have been possible without the passion, commitment, and dedication of our staff, the leadership of our Board of Trustees, and the unwavering support of our volunteers, funders, commissioners, and donors.

You don’t just provide time or funding, you believe in our mission, and that belief inspires us every day.

As we move into 2025, let us carry forward the lessons of this year: the importance of community, the need to stand together in the face of adversity, and the power of compassion.

Wishing everyone a safe and joyful festive season. Never be afraid to ask for help when you need it and let us continue to work together and be that voice for each other in the year ahead.

Best wishes for 2025,

Afrah Qassim,

Savera UK CEO & Founder

STATEMENT: Parents jailed for death of Abiyah Yasharahyalah

This week at Coventry Crown Court, Tai and Naiyahmi Yasharahyala were jailed for causing the death of their son, three-year-old Abiyah Yasharahyalah. 

Tai Yasharahyalah was jailed for 24-and-a-half years and Naiyahmi Yasharahyalah was given 19-and-a-half years.

The body of Abiyah was found buried in a garden in Handsworth in Birmingham in December 2022, ten months after his parents had been evicted from the property. Analysis of his skeleton showed that when he was alive he was severely malnourished and had rickets, anaemia as well as dental disease and was abnormally small with broken and deformed bones.

A trial at Coventry Crown Court heard that the Yasharahyalahs had been motivated by a belief system that included a restrictive vegan diet and a desire to avoid unwanted attention and had opted out of mainstream society. The prosecution stated that the pair were prepared to allow their child to “suffer the consequences” of these decisions.

During the trial it was heard that: “The pair did not call the emergency services after Abiyah died because strangers could scare off spirits. Instead, they lit a paraffin lamp in the room near him as a beacon, in case his spirit wished to return to his body.”

His parents kept the boy’s body in their bed for several days after his death in the hope he would be reincarnated following a burial ritual. They embalmed him with frankincense and myrrh before burying him in their garden without informing authorities. Tai Yasharahyalah said in his Igbo culture it was believed every person had a physical and spiritual form, the latter of which could be saved.

Mr Justice Wall said the couple cared more about their beliefs than the welfare of their child.

He said: “Your motivation for acting as you did was your prioritisation of your distorted system of beliefs over their welfare. You were prepared to live with any consequences which flowed from your adherence to these beliefs, including the disability or death of the children.”

Savera UK CEO and Founder, Afrah Qassim, said: “The facts of this case bear the hallmarks of spiritual abuse, which is a form of harmful practice.

“Spiritual abuse is a form of emotional and psychological abuse. It is characterised by a systematic pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour in a religious context, with components including the misuse or misinterpretation of doctrine or beliefs and exclusion and isolation, all of which are present in this extremely harrowing case. 

“Abiyah was an innocent child who had no way of seeking help. He was harmed by the people who should have protected him and sought help for him, regardless of their belief system.

“As a society we need to prioritise education and learning around how we recognise this risk of harm, and have the confidence to report it. Faith and spirituality when operating with a healthy culture provide a vital service to their communities, but if they are used to excuse harm caused to others, it is nothing but abuse and a violation of human rights.”

Image: West Midlands Police