By Aaliyah Gohir - Editorial Assistant (MWN Hub)

Nisa Global Foundation (NGF) was launched on 2nd May 2021 by four Muslim women, Shaista Gohir OBE, Nazmin Akthar, Dr. Iram Sattar and Fozia Uddin. The former three are also trustees at the award winning national charity Muslim Women's Network UK.  The name of the foundation name has been inspired by the fourth chapter of the Quran, An-Nisa (The Women) because of its focus on empowering women and girls through by funding health, education, livelihoods and gender-based abuse projects. Although the vast majority of its initiatives will involve working with women led groups in developing countries, it will also fund some work in the UK, with an increased focus on aid to domestic abuse victims.  The support for women in the UK is really needed given that the levels of domestic abuse have increased during the Covid pandemic.

Feedback on research they  conducted included concerns about misogyny, aggressive and unethical marketing tactics (particularly in relation to how beneficiaries were portrayed), lack of accountability and transparency. Donors were also worried about safeguarding, governance and financial management.

The grant giving organisation, which has applied to the Charity Commission for registration as a charity, aims to provide British Muslims with more choice when considering their charitable donations. It is understood that Muslims in Britain give over £250 million annually to charity with an estimated £100 million donated in the month of Ramadan alone. Majority of these donations tend to be made to UK based Muslim charities which operate internationally. However, it does appear that Muslim donors are increasingly becoming dissatisfied with these large organisations. The Founders of NGF claim that it is this erosion of trust that has led them to launch their initiative. Feedback on research they  conducted included concerns about misogyny, aggressive and unethical marketing tactics (particularly in relation to how beneficiaries were portrayed), lack of accountability and transparency. Donors were also worried about safeguarding, governance and financial management.  These findings show that perhaps donors now asking more searching questions and no longer blindly trusting charities just because they are faith based. 

Founder, Shaista Gohir OBE, who came up with the idea for NGF, wants women to use their financial power as donors to influence charities to raise their standards and be more inclusive. She said: “We feel that for too long the established Muslim charities have been taking donors for granted, especially women, who we understand often make up two thirds of their donors. It seems as if most of these charities are run like ‘Muslim men’s clubs;’ the presence of Muslim women in senior decision-making positions tends to be extremely rare, such as for example at Director, CEO or Board member level.  Given the size of their contributions, it is time Muslim women harnessed their financial power in becoming more selective in their charitable giving. Such action then has the potential to be transformative, leading to a systemic change in the sector.”

Further information about Nisa Global Foundation can be found on their website: www.nisaglobalfoundation.org and they can be followed on Twitter @NisaGlobalFdn and Instagram @nisaglobalfoundation