IKWRO supports Middle Eastern, North African, and Afghan women and girls, particularly those facing domestic violence, forced marriage, so-called “honour-based” violence, or female genital mutilation (FGM). Founded to serve Iranian and Kurdish communities, IKWRO now extends help to a broader demographic, including those from Arabic, Dari, Pashto, or Turkish backgrounds. Importantly, they blend knowledge of cultural pressures, like family honour codes or language barriers – with robust understanding of family law in England & Wales, ensuring survivors can access appropriate legal remedies.
IKWRO’s caseworkers often advise on divorces complicated by religious or cultural norms, helping survivors navigate both the UK legal system and, if desired, Sharia-based dissolutions. Advisors clarify that a civil divorce in England and Wales is separate from a religious divorce, so women need to secure both if they want comprehensive protection.
If children are involved, IKWRO guides them through child arrangements—particularly vital if extended family across different countries might intervene. Additionally, the charity’s forced-marriage unit aids those coerced into unsafe unions, collaborating with the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) to secure protection orders, prevent overseas travel, or rescue individuals from harmful contexts.
Key Services
- Culturally Sensitive Advocacy: Bilingual staff who understand Middle Eastern customs and can interpret forms or court jargon.
- Forced Marriage & “Honour”-Based Violence Support: Guidance on legal orders to block forced marriage or break coercive control.
- Counselling & Peer Groups: Emotional healing spaces for women recovering from abuse, often run in the mother tongue.
- Policy & Training: Works with police, social services, and courts to handle so-called honour-based violence cases effectively.
Why It’s Valuable
Women from Iranian, Kurdish, or similar backgrounds may face multifaceted barriers – linguistic, cultural, immigration, or patriarchal traditions – preventing them from accessing mainstream family-law services. IKWRO’s staff demystify the system, from explaining how to get a Non-Molestation Order to emphasising that forced marriage is illegal and survivors have recourse. By addressing these challenges in a culturally attuned way, IKWRO ensures that no woman feels compelled to stay in a violent or coercive marriage out of fear of community backlash. Ultimately, it paves a path for women to claim independence on their own terms, blending cultural respect with the firm stance that abuse and forced marriage are never acceptable.
Website: https://ikwro.org.uk/
Registered Charity Number: 1146883