Bereaved Families Call on Prime Minister to End Femicide
Bereaved families of black, minorities, and migrant women who died after suffering violence and abuse have come together to call on the prime minister to take action to end femicide. At a vigil held at Downing Street on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the group emphasized the urgent need for reforms in policing and sentencing to address systemic failures.
Yasmin Javed’s Heartbreaking Story
Yasmin Javed shared the tragic story of her daughter, Fawziyah Javed, who was killed after being pushed by her husband from Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. Despite Fawziyah’s reports of abuse being ignored by authorities, no action was taken. Fawziyah, who was pregnant at the time of her death, had made complaints about her husband but was tragically murdered just days before she planned to leave him.
Kashif Anwar was convicted of Fawziyah’s murder and sentenced to at least 20 years in prison in 2023. The families, led by the campaign group Southall Black Sisters, are advocating for key legislative amendments to address these issues.
Legislative Amendments and Advocacy
One of the amendments being championed is Banaz’s Law, named after 20-year-old Banaz Mahmod, who was brutally assaulted, strangled, and hidden in a suitcase by her family members on the orders of her father. This law seeks to explicitly recognize «honour-based» abuse as an aggravating factor in sentencing for relevant offenses.
The Downing Street vigil took place on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
The families are also advocating for courts to impose sentences equivalent to murder for cases of self-harm and suicides driven by domestic and «honour»-based abuse. They emphasize the need for the government to ensure that all women have equal access to safety and support, regardless of their immigration status.
Continued Advocacy and Protection Efforts
Banaz Mahmod’s sister Bekhal, who bravely testified against her relatives to secure their conviction, expressed disappointment that nearly two decades after the murder, efforts to protect women have not progressed as much as needed. Speaking from an undisclosed location in the witness protection scheme, Bekhal emphasized the importance of preventing similar tragedies from happening to other individuals.
Banaz Mahmod was killed on the orders of her father
Bekhal’s words serve as a reminder that despite past tragedies, there is still much work to be done to protect vulnerable individuals and prevent further instances of violence and abuse.