Category: Uncategorized

‘Shamed’: British Asian Sarbjit Kaur Athwal’s Journey of Fighting Against Honour Based Violence

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“…Women are afraid to speak up or come forward because they feel they will not be supported, no one will listen or understand them. Professionals and the police have a lack of understanding around cultural issues and understanding which they must learn before the right support can be given to any victim. …”

Honour based violence survivor and founder of the True Honour charity, Sarbjit Kaur Athwal’s book “Shamed” follows her journey in speaking out against gender violence and finding justice for her sister-in-law who was murdered in the name of family honour. Read the full Brown Girl Magazine feature here

Her Story….

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A vintage gem that speaks a thousand words and needs no filter.. Three generations in one frame, each silently narrating their paths.. The matriarch – my Nani – undeterred by the struggles life has thrown her, and leading her tribe forward with integrity and sincerity.. Her daughter – my mother – who looks on in awe and pride at this woman who has single-handedly raised the next generation, and still clutches my shoulder, oozing maternal love. And little ole me – clinging on to my mum’s hand, knowing I’m in the presence of motherhood and feeling safe and protected. I can’t think of anything more powerful than this…. Selfless, humble and pure love… 💕💕💕💕💕

Global Arts Kingston

Global Arts Kingston International Women’s Day at Kingston Museum

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On Friday 8th March, Global Arts Kingston  – which aims to create, develop and deliver inter-generation and multicultural events within the local communities of Kingston-Upon-Thames  – celebrated International Women’s Day by acknowledging women heroes. Through music, poetry, and special guests speakers Rita Kakati Shah, founder of Uma, and ITV chef Parveen Ashraf, it was a thought-provoking and emotional evening, amplified by inspirational women. 

Draupadi Disrobed

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“Is forcing more constraints on what a woman may wear or not wear making her daily life any easier??”

Read my new feature Draupadi Disrobed for The Asian Today here.

Originally published here.

The Half Sikh Woman

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..” What is that I do or don’t do daily that would make me any less Gujarati or Sikh? Is my namesake my only identity and true definition of who I am or what my cultural beliefs are?..”

Read The Half Sikh Woman published in here The Asian Today

Originally published here

My Big Fat Indian Non Wedding

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”..Whilst weddings are assumed to be the most appropriate place to ask inappropriate questions, trust me when I say that sarcasm is a tried and tested method, which will fail miserably.”

Read my do’s and don’ts for the Indian Wedding Season in The Asian Today here

Also featured in USA’s Brown Girl Magazine 

Originally published here

The Woman that is You

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..”As spectators, we applaud the likes of Hilary Clinton or Malala as role models, but how much are we encouraging or even acknowledging the inspiring women within our own homes?..”

What does International Women’s Day mean to you. Read my feature in The Asian Today here

Originally published here

The Marriage Myth Journey

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“In this society, marriage is a task, that HAS to be completed”, these were the harsh words of Dr Khurrana, a New Delhi based marriage counselor, in response to my question – how is marriage perceived in India today? In February 2012, through my journey to explore and engage in current methods that women of my generation in India are undertaking to find “the one”, I was intrigued by how working thirty-something’s in India today were influenced by everyday relationships and if attitudes to marriage were altering. .

Read all about the journey in Asiana, Asian Woman Magazine and Chak De India and the official blogspot here

The Asian Silence

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“..At a time, where the UK has seen a huge growth in charities and refuges specifically for women of ethnic minorities, the fear of raising a voice suppresses even those who are aware of their options because their cultural base has already set the foundation of inequality..”

Article now published in The Asian Today

Originally published here