Author: admin

Kiara Mohamed Amin

“My work as an artist focuses on the underrepresentation and marginalisation of minority groups, which is why I am so passionate about Savera UK’s mission to create awareness and help those who are vulnerable and have nowhere else to turn to. Though my work and my ambassador role with Savera UK, I want to shine a light on the impact that forced marriage, FGM and ‘honour’-based abuse has on survivors’ mental health.”

Babs Ceesay

“I use my own experiences as a survivor to tackle FGM and other other harmful and traditional practices. I have teamed up with Savera UK to engage professionals and communities, raise awareness and inform them of the impact these issues can have. My aim is to encourage them to use this knowledge and understanding to make a difference and end to FGM and other harmful practices within communities.”

Sunetra Saker

“We can make a difference when we unite our voices and bring subjects like those tackled by Savera UK to the forefront. If we don’t speak out on behalf of those that have suffered and are suffering, then we cannot expect change and this is ultimately what is required. Through my role as Savera UK ambassador I hope that I can raise awareness and help survivors and those at risk to feel more connected, relevant and empowered to speak out.”

Nazir Afzal OBE

“Savera means new beginnings and the people Savera helps know exactly what that means. They are rescued from hopeless and desperate abusive relationships, or from families who are determined to harm them through forced marriage or FGM, and given hope, help and a home. These victims and survivors are the least likely in the UK to seek help because of issues such as honour and culture…It is my privilege to be Savera’s Patron, I can think of no better way of showing my admiration for the work they do and the lives they save.”

Savera UK at BBC Radio Merseyside on Ngunan Adamu's show

Savera UK raise awareness on local radio stations

Savera UK founder, Afrah Qassim, toured radio stations across Merseyside to raise awareness about the National Day of Memory which remembers those lost in name of so called ‘honour’. Afrah discusses the importance of this awareness day and how Savera UK can support those at risk of ‘honour’-based abuse and harmful practices.

 

Listen (Liverpool Live):

#imspeakingout – Our new campaign for 2019

Savera UK Youth and some of our inspiring service users worked together to create this stunning new campaign that not only raises awareness about harmful practices but encourages everyone to speak out about them.

The campaign begins with a poster being shared on the M62 screen at the gateway into the city on the day that would have been Warrington teenager Shafilea Ahmed’s 33rd birthday.

Shafilea was murdered by her parents in 2003 after she refused a forced marriage. The A-Level student’s body was discovered in the Lake District five months after she disappeared from the family home, but it took several years to bring her killers to justice.

The poster carries the striking statistic that 3,000 incidents of honour crime are reported each year in the UK* with a bold call to action – “Speak Out”. The image, along with others created by working groups facilitated by Liverpool-based branding agency, Nonconform, will also be shared on social media with #ImSpeakingOut, to extend the reach of the campaign.

Founder of Savera UK, Afrah Qassim, said: “Our new campaign is designed not just to raise awareness of ‘honour’-based abuse and violence, along with other harmful practices, it seeks to empower people to speak out, either for themselves or others, particularly those from affected communities.

“It also encourages people outside of these communities to recognise these practices and provide them with the knowledge required to report them effectively.”

Internationally, very little is known about the true extent of ‘honour’-based abuse, but estimates suggest there are 12 killings per year in the United Kingdom**. We want everyone to stand together and help break the silence about ‘honour’-based abuse and harmful practices. Too many lives have been lost in the name of so-called ‘honour’ so join us in our campaign to educate and eradicate these practices for good.

Get involved and Speak Out: here

*http://ikwro.org.uk/2017/11/violence-criminalisation-marriage/

** Source: http://hbv-awareness.com