Mum of murdered pregnant woman calls for action on honour-based abuse in Scotland

The mother of a pregnant woman who was tragically murdered by her abusive husband is calling for action on honour-based abuse in Scotland. Fawziyah Javad, 31, was pushed off Arthur’s Seat by her husband Kashif Anwar, 29, while they were on holiday in Edinburgh in September 2021. Fawziyah, who was 17-weeks pregnant, managed to disclose to passers-by that she had been pushed by her partner before succumbing to her injuries.

Anwar was convicted of her murder at the High Court in Edinburgh and received a 20-year prison sentence. The court heard that he pushed Fawziyah because she wanted to end their marriage. In the wake of this tragedy, Fawziyah’s mother, Yasmin Javed, is advocating for stronger protections and laws to combat honour-based violence, including female genital mutilation, forced marriages, and honour crimes.

Yasmin emphasised the need for authorities to do more to ensure the safety of women in abusive situations. She stressed that every woman who reaches out to the police in a situation like Fawziyah’s should be viewed as a potential victim of murder. Yasmin shared her devastation over losing her daughter and highlighted the importance of preventing other families from experiencing similar tragedies.

Fawziyah’s family has established the Fawziyah Javed Foundation to provide practical assistance to parents of homicide victims. Yasmin recently addressed a group of women in Glasgow as part of the UN-backed 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, underscoring the lasting impact of Fawziyah’s death on their family.

Police Scotland has introduced an action plan to support victims of honour-based abuse, with 949 incidents recorded between 2014 and 2020. The Scottish Government has been urged to comment on the matter but has yet to respond to requests.

In the quest for justice for Fawziyah and other victims of honour-based abuse, Yasmin Javed’s plea for action reverberates across Scotland, shining a light on the urgent need for greater protections and legislation to safeguard women from such atrocities.