Domestic abuse remains a critical issue affecting millions of women worldwide, but for those in Muslim and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, the challenges are often layered with cultural, economic, and systemic barriers. Recognising these complexities, Better Communities Bradford (BCB), a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering disadvantaged communities, has taken a tailored approach to support women facing abuse.
In an effort to bridge the gap between cultural sensitivities and essential services, BCB provides targeted initiatives that create safe spaces, raise awareness, and offer direct support to survivors. While the organisation is predominantly women-led, with South Asian women making up nearly all its trustees, a unique aspect of BCB is the presence of men in leadership roles advocating for women's empowerment.
In this interview, we speak with the CEO of BCB, Abbas Najib, to discuss the organisation’s impact, the role of men in supporting women’s rights, and how the community can play a part in breaking cycles of abuse.
Can you share more about your non-profit’s mission, its key aims, and the initiatives you’re undertaking to build stronger communities?
We initially took a broad approach, aiming to improve the lives of people within our community in any way we could. This included initiatives such as disability access support, sewing classes for women, and activities for children. However, over time, we identified a specific area where the demand was highest—empowering women of South Asian descent, particularly those from the South Asian diaspora and migrant communities.
Around two to three years ago, we began focusing more on this area, and it has since become our core strength in securing and delivering impactful projects. This shift has allowed us to drive real growth and make a tangible difference. More recently, we launched Rise Bradford, a project dedicated to supporting young people within the South Asian community. Given our location, approximately 90% of the community around us is of South Asian heritage, making this initiative especially relevant. Currently, our main focus areas include female empowerment, addressing anti-Muslim hate crime, and supporting the younger generation in our community.
Based on your experience working with women from minority communities, what key obstacles do you believe need to be addressed in order to provide meaningful support?
Language is a major barrier, which we address by having bilingual and multilingual women on the front lines, ensuring effective communication. These women are often a minority within a minority—an already disempowered group within a larger disempowered community.
Beyond language, awareness is another significant issue. To tackle this, we run WhatsApp and social media groups that provide crucial information and resources, making sure the women we support are well-informed. Transportation is also a common hurdle, so whenever possible, we provide transport to ensure accessibility. These are the typical challenges that disempowered minorities face. Occasionally, we encounter more personal and sensitive issues, such as restrictions on accessing certain services due to family or societal pressures. In such cases, a tailored approach is required to address individual needs.
That said, we’ve done well in overcoming these barriers. To date, I don’t believe we’ve had to turn anyone away—we work hard to find solutions for each person who seeks our help.
How do you address the cultural barriers that sometimes prevent South Asian women from fully accessing opportunities?
We make a conscious effort to avoid a paternalistic approach, ensuring that women discover their own skills and potential at their own pace. For instance, we offer sewing and beauty and well-being classes—activities that are traditionally acceptable within South Asian communities and take place in women-only spaces, staffed by multilingual facilitators. As they engage in these programs, they gradually become aware of additional courses and opportunities available to them. Our project leaders actively promote these pathways, encouraging participants to explore further education and skill development. Our goal is to create stepping stones that lead women toward greater independence and empowerment.
As you work towards empowering women at the grassroots level, what role do you think men can play in this process? Does your charity also focus on educating men in these communities about how their attitudes and support can impact women's opportunities and empowerment?
Advocating for gender equality requires collaboration. Just as men should support women’s empowerment, women should also encourage positive change among men. It cannot be done in isolation. We take a conversational approach when engaging with men, making discussions relatable and relevant to their lives.
For example, I spoke to the Islamic Society at Lancaster University about men’s mental health, relationships, and marriage—topics that resonate deeply with young people. These discussions also provide an opportunity to highlight the role men can play in supporting women. It’s not always an easy conversation, as these issues are often framed as a “them versus us” debate. However, when we make it personal—asking, “What if it were your sister or mother in this situation?”—it sparks a shift in perspective.
I firmly believe that male involvement in women’s empowerment is essential. Whether it’s supporting women in education, employment, or even their choice to be homemakers, men’s voices can be powerful allies.
