Farah Nazeer
Farah Nazeer has been chief executive of Women’s Aid since March 2021. With more than 22 years’ director-level experience in the voluntary sector, and a strong track record in policy, programmes and campaigns, she is committed to achieving social justice through feminist leadership and building effective, purposeful organisations.
A passionate advocate for women’s rights, Farah has devoted her career to ending violence against women and children. She champions inclusivity, diversity, intersectionality and responses to institutional racism, and has extensive experience of working within large membership organisations, collectively representing more than 9,000 members. She is inspired by the power of federations and membership bodies to drive tangible change.
Before joining Women’s Aid, Farah was part of the senior leadership team at ActionAid UK, where she worked to end gender-based violence and advance women’s economic rights. She has also held roles at Lumos, Bond, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the Women’s Institute. In addition, Farah served as a local authority councillor for almost a decade, focusing on local service provision, health, the environment and democratic accountability.
Farah has led Women’s Aid through a period of transition and growth. Against a backdrop of economic pressure, societal turbulence, and racist and divisive narratives, the federation has kept its focus on advocating for all women and children, including Black, minoritised and migrant women, with inclusion and solidarity at the heart of our work.
Women’s Aid is now embarking on its strategy for the next decade, Power, purpose and voice – the pathway to ending domestic abuse. This vision is focused on achieving the real change needed to make domestic abuse a thing of the past: moving towards greater innovation, influence and power for survivors and for those who support them. Guided by more than 50 years of experience and the collective strength of the federation, Women’s Aid remains committed to ensuring survivors and their children receive the help they need, when they need it most, so they can escape abuse and rebuild their lives.