Blog
Our founder shortlisted for a National Diversity Award 2015
We are delighted that our founder, Polly Harrar, has been shortlisted for the UK’s largest diversity awards, which recognises some of the nation’s most inspirational and selfless people. With over 20,000 nominations and votes received this year, The National Diversity...
Republic of Ireland addresses issues of forced marriage
Forced marriage is a criminal offence in the UK and is a form of domestic violence and/or child abuse, yet it remains a prevalent issue, particularly in the Republic of Ireland where for many women and children, this barbaric practice remains unchallenged and...
The criminalisation of forced marriage one year on
Today marks exactly one year since Forced Marriage was criminalised under the Anti-Social behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. We remember campaigning for this change despite opposition stating that legislation would not make a difference. Recently we saw the...
Is speaking English really that important?
The Government is planning to introduce stricter rules for immigrants coming from outside the UK, who will be forced to learn English if they want to stay in this country. A heated debate has arisen on whether this is in the genuine interest of society or is just a...
The truth about burn out
Sharan founder Polly and I met about four years ago, working on the National Domestic Violence Helpline in central London. I’ll always remember going for dinner with Polly one evening - I’d just been offered a new job and was in negotiations around the kind of package...
The Portrayal of Women in Music Videos
We firmly believe that violence against women and girls does not happen because men are naturally evil but is the result of a culture that does not value women and considers them inferior human beings. Media play an important role in reinforcing such culture by...
India’s Daughter – Why we oppose the ban
On March 6 we were invited to a private screening of “India’s Daughter”, the powerful documentary recounting the gang rape and murder of Jyoty Singh in a Delhi bus in 2012. At the event, organised by Plan UK and hosted by Doughty Street Chambers, we also had the...
Maya Angelou – Game Changer
Every month we celebrate a successful woman, someone who has made a difference in the world. This month we have chosen the multi-talented Maya Angelou, who sadly passed away in May last year. Born in St. Louis Missouri, she spent her childhood between there and...
Putting women first in the sex selective abortion debate
An amendment to the Serious Crime Bill has been proposed that would clarify that gender selective abortion remains illegal in the UK. A fierce debate has arisen between those who oppose the move and those who are in favour and, as women rights campaigners, we feel the...