An event led by Savera UK separating culture from human rights violations this weekend brought music, dance and celebration to Liverpool city centre and the iconic Bombed Out Church.
The day began with our annual “March to End ‘Honour’-Based Abuse (HBA) and Harmful Practices”, led by Savera UK patron Nazir Afzal OBE, Merseyside PCC, Emily Spurrell, partners Zonta UK and event sponsors Maria Fogg Family Law and Helplines Partnership.
Marchers carried placards highlighting the issues of HBA, forced and child marriage, conversion ‘therapy’, virginity testing, as well as messages of hope from survivors. They were accompanied by Katumba Drumming and Movement, bringing a melting post of UK club beats and music from the carnivals of Northeast Brazil, renowned percussionist Felix Ngindu and dance group Movema, making a powerful statement that these issues happen in Merseyside and are not culture, but are all human rights abuses.
To celebrate Savera UK’s 15 years of working – in Merseyside and nationally – to end HBA and harmful practices, the march culminated in a festival – “Culture at the Bombed Out Church” – which saw poetry from the Savera UK Youth Collective and community advocates, readings from survivors and further staged performances through the day from Katumba, Movema, Felix Ngindu, as well as Sattvika Arts & Cultural Centre, MD Productions, Dee Sign BSL Choir and Wavertree Community Gospel Choir, all introduced by host Alex Young aka Motormouf.
There were also free children’s storytelling sessions presented in partnership with Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF), Tai Chi demonstrations from Pagoda Arts, free henna painting, games, stalls, a raffle and an exhibition of community artworks.
Closing the event Afrah Qassim, Savera UK CEO and Founder, said: “For 15 years we have worked tirelessly to raise awareness that HBA and harmful practices do happen here in Merseyside and in the UK. They aren’t part of culture, and they aren’t just limited to certain communities. They can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or background.
“Harm in the name of ‘honour’ is not culture. Forced marriage is not culture. FGM is not culture. Conversion ‘therapy’ is not culture. They are human rights abuses, and they are a problem for us all and we can only end them by working together.
“Thank you to everyone who has stood with us today and for the last 15 years. We hope you will join us for the next 15 years and beyond, until we achieve our vision for a world without HBA and harmful practices, where no-one has to live in fear.”
Established in 2010, for its first six years Savera UK was run by a small team of volunteers, providing advice on HBA and harmful practices to frontline professionals and raising public awareness. In 2016, its first major grant* allowed the charity to set up its direct intervention team, directly helping with survivors and those at risk to leave abusive environments.
The weekend’s event, which was also supported by FPC and venue partner, St Luke’s Bombed Out Church, is just one in a programme of events marking Savera UK’s milestone year. There will also be a community awareness day at the PAL Centre 10am – 3pm on 9th October 2025, a free online awareness session on Modern Slavery relating to ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) On 14th October 2025, and a free online event for professionals on Wednesday 10th December 2025 ‘HBA and Harmful Practices Happen Here – Responding As A Frontline Professional’.
Images by Andrew AB Photography
