4 September 2026
Building Trust: Inclusive Humanitarian Financing for Women and Girls
On the margins of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, the convening will explore how Islamic social finance can and does support gender-responsive humanitarian action and the potential for improved funding for women and girls in conflict and displacement. Moderated by Professor Azza Karam (President and CEO of Lead Integrity and former Secretary General at Religions for Peace and founder of the UN Multi-Faith Advisory Council), the roundtable will bring together experts on Islamic social finance, gender-responsive humanitarian action and leaders of women-led organisations. Discussion will focus on ways in which Islamic social finance can support women’s empowerment and protection in fragile contexts. The event will include a presentation by Dr Sandra Pertek of the initial findings from a UK Research and Innovation-funded project: Making Aid Work for Displaced Women: Integrating Islamic philanthropy and the international humanitarian system.
This event is hybrid and will take place both online and in person at UN Women Headquarters in New York on 24 September, 11:00 – 12:30 (Eastern Time).
For both in-person and online attendance please register here by 21 September.
Further information on this event will be shared closer to the date.
