Practical support on the issue of Forced Marriage in the UK
a blog by SI Bilston & District
"We were delighted when Jasvinder Sanghera accepted an invitation to speak about the issue of Forced Marriage in the UK, at a SI Bilston & District Charity Evening held back in June 2011, at Coven Memorial Hall, Wolverhampton. Bilston club members invited friends, other Soroptimists and professionals including solicitors, police, probation officers, staff from women’s refuges and Women’s Aid to join them for what was a very special evening. The room was full of 200 enthusiastic listeners.
Jasvinder established the charity Karma Nirvana in Derby, a safe haven and advice centre for young girls affected by the impact of forced marriages and domestic violence. She is an inspirational, passionate speaker who captivated her audience. Jasvinder is known, nationally and internationally for her work and has written three books, ‘Shame’, ‘Daughters of Shame’ and ‘Shame Travels’. She is in the process of writing her fourth book ‘Shame – a Decade on’.
Photo: SI Bilston and Jasvinder Sanghera
The club decided to work with the Karma Nirvana in its bid to change the law on forced marriage, which, in 2011, was not a criminal offence.
The Right Honourable Theresa May MP, Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities, launched the Forced Marriage Consultation, on 12 December 2011. She stated: "I am clear that Forced Marriage is a form of violence against women and men. We must do all we can to stamp out this appalling abuse". This consultation finished on 30th March 2012.
SI Bilston worked on this issue and produced a series of responses to the Home Office questionnaire, to help Soroptimists to complete the Home Office Consultation questionnaire. It was of the utmost importance that as many people as possible completed the online questionnaire. Many members from Midland Chase Region as well as countrywide did this. The topic was on UKPAC website, highlighted in PAM and the UKPAC Chairman’s report. It is already part of the flagship project VAWSIN.
Karma Nirvana added a post card campaign to support the Home Office Consultation. Karma Nirvana’s staff including Jasvinder gave out the postcards in Derby, Leeds, Bradford and other northern cities and we sent post cards to all UK Soroptimist clubs, encouraging individuals to complete and return cards to us. Jasvinder then presented the cards personally at 10 Downing Street,London. Soroptimist contributions to the number of cards was significant.
On 26 February 2013 nine Bilston members attended a seminar on Forced Marriage together with over 100 professionals from Wolverhampton. The roadshow was one of a series that had been run countrywide by Karma Nirvana to raise the issues surrounding Forced Marriage. Jasvinder Sanghera was a key speaker at this event. BBC 6 o’clock Midland News reporters were present all day, and at lunch time interviewed many people including several Bilston Soroptimists.
On the 8 June 2012 – the Government announced that Forced Marriage was to be criminalised. Soroptimists across the country had helped to empower women and girls in the United Kingdom by completing the Home Office Consultation and supporting Karma Nirvana’s postcard campaign. Two years later on 16 June 2014 the great day arrived when Forced Marriage in the UK became a criminal offence.
Bilston Club is very proud to have helped with the work of Karma Nirvana in campaigning for this new legislation. The work really started at this stage as it was then necessary to promote the contents of the new law.
In 2013/14 Bilston’s work on this campaign was recognised as a Project of Excellence by Soroptimist International, one of 39 worldwide. This was a great honour.
Two Bilston members were invited to attend the launch of a Day of Memory to honour girls murdered in dishonourable killings in the UK. The event was organised by Karma Nirvana in conjunction with Cosmopolitan Magazine. The date marks the birthday of Shafilea Ahmed who sadly lost her life at the hands of her parents at the age of just 17. The day, which has cross Governmental support, was chosen because it is the birthday of Shafilea. Louise Court, Editor in Chief of Cosmopolitan (magazine), chaired the day and speakers included, Baroness Cox of Queensbury, Karen Bradley MP Minister for Modern Slavery & Organised Crime at the Home Office, Scotland Yard’s Commander Mak Chisty, Superintendent Geraint Jones ( Cheshire Police), Janice Kovach (Mayor of Clinton New Jersey) and Emily Dyer from the Henry Jackson Society.
The day brought together survivors who had experienced honour based abuse and forced marriage. Some of them bravely shared their personal experiences for the first time to raise awareness and showcase that it is possible to survive. Jasvinder Sanghera CEO of Karma Nirvana facilitated their conversations with key themes. There were many tearful moments.
At this event the Metal Spoon Initiative was launched.
Metal spoons – freedom for all women and girls
Karma Nirvana advises girls who telephone the charity help line and who are at risk of being forced into marriage outside the UK to place a metal spoon in their underwear when arriving at an airport. This will cause the activation of the airport scanner and the girl will be taken aside. The airport authorities will be able to offer protection. Karma Nirvana staff are providing awareness training for all airport staff as well as training in a growing number of schools in the UK. To emphasise the strategy,miniature spoon lapel badges have been produced and were on sale during the Day of Memory. This has already created a talking point. Bilston members have all bought lapel spoon badges raising awareness wherever they travel.
At the 2015 Federation Conference in Glasgow clubs showed great interest in the spoons, and the concept, and bought the remaining stock. Bilston members are collecting orders and selling on behalf of Karma Nirvana. Since conference several clubs have contacted Bilston to place orders.
Some anxiety has been expressed about girls being at risk because their parents may be aware of the initiative. However the charity Karma Nirvana is clear that the spoons represent the issue of forced marriage and create a talking point, to raise awareness. It is a tool for advocacy".
About Karma Nirvana
Karma Nirvana is a UK registered Charity that supports victims and
survivors of Forced Marriage and Honour Based Abuse. It was named in the
hope that the work it seeks to undertake would make a positive impact
on the lives of individuals who would by our involvement achieve a sense
of peace and ultimately enlightenment.
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