Savera UK’s CEO and Founder, Afrah Qassim, has been shortlisted in the Northern Power Women Awards 2023.
Afrah has been shortlisted in the ‘Person with Purpose’ category, sponsored by Stella. ‘Person with Purpose’ celebrates those who are driven by their personal motivation to volunteer or support a social change, charity, not for profit or community.
Afrah founded Savera UK, then Savera Liverpool, in 2010, and worked voluntarily for the charity for 10 years, while also working a full-time role in the NHS while as well as being a member of the board for the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, a charity delivering arts and community programmes while bringing diverse cultures together, for which she later became the Chair.
Since its inception, Savera UK has grown to deliver safeguarding and advocacy for those at risk of ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices, like forced marriage, female genital mutilation and virginity testing. Savera UK also campaigns against these practices through awareness-raising and education, tackling the causes of harmful practices.
Afrah said: “I am incredibly grateful to have been shortlisted in the Person with Purpose category alongside so many inspiring change makers. Thank you to the people who put me forward for this award and our supporters and funders, without whom we wouldn’t be where we are today. I would also like to thank the Savera UK Board, Advisory Board and Youth Advisory Board for their support and commitment.
“This work would not be possible without the commitment of the Savera UK team, who share my vision for a world without ‘honour’-based abuse and harmful practices. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.”
The 89 finalists in the seventh Northern Power Women Awards were selected from 1,500 nominations from across all sectors and regions across the Northern Powerhouse.
The Northern Power Women Future List and Power List will be announced on 7 February 2023 and the awards will take place on Monday 20th March 2023, at Manchester Central Convention Complex.