Merfat Musleh
Savera UK
Women to Watch – Runner Up
Merfat Musleh is an ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices specialist team coordinator at Savera UK, a charity working to end these issues, as well as a powerful advocate for survivors and those at risk, regularly going above and beyond for them. In the last year Merfat has led her team - a group of young women - with passion and tenacity. Together they have helped 178 clients, responded to 495 calls to the helpline and spent 2,292 hours working to safeguard those experiencing HBA and harmful practices. Outside of her professional role she is passionate about battling racism and works to foster an environment of understanding and dialogue in her local community. Merfat has achieved this success despite battling a long-term, undiagnosed illness throughout childhood, being out of school for a long time. Merfat got her own education back on track and was the first person in her family to graduate from university.