Interviews, inspiration and everyday advice to help you ‘Choose to Challenge’.

A publication by CONTENTS

Introduction 2 A Letter from Afrah 3 WILLWILL YOUYOU CHOOSECHOOSE A Chat With Sunetra Sarker 5 Everyday Activists: Community Women 8 Everyday Activists: Savera UK Youth 11 TOTO CHALLENGE?CHALLENGE? Challenging Harmful Practices: Tania’s Story 12 International Women’s Day is a global There are many ways that Q&A: Movema 13 day celebrating the social, economic, you can #ChooseToChallenge: Taking Control of Your Story 15 cultural and political achievements Take Action 17 of women. It is also a time to commit 1. Commit to learning and Increase Your Self-Belief 18 to making sure that all women’s understanding what is Our Sponsors: How We Choose to Challenge 19 voices are heard. The campaign meant by gender equality Recipes 21 theme for International Women’s Day 2. Recognise gender-based Colour Me In 23 2021, #ChooseToChallenge, asks you abuse and call it out Puzzle 24 to hold your hand up and speak out 3. Share what you have Write Your Own Choose to Challenge Statement 25 against gender bias and inequality. learned with a friend 4. Support women’s When most people think of the organisations and businesses word “activism”, they think of Publication compiled and edited by: street marches and large protests Shauna Lacy, Leah Kratschmann with placards. Although these Lasting change comes from the and Nikki Girvan. are valuable ways of making a many and not the few. Collectively, statement, everyday activism we can all choose to challenge. is just as effective in challenging an unequal world. It is everyone’s responsibility to stand up for equality and help change the world.

1 2 This year’s theme is ‘choose to challenge’ and her children after and if change is to be made, we must her husband’s death. A LETTER FROM challenge threats to gender equality and human rights every single day. She never left her village, but she was a woman AFRAH There isn’t just one way of challenging of great knowledge gender inequality and abuse. Activism and many skills. takes many forms and that is what this magazine intends to highlight - the She was and still is my many ways we can ‘choose to challenge’ ultimate role model and in our everyday lives, from having the inspiration. Just like my confidence to share our own stories, grandmother, I now choose or speak out against harmful practices, to challenge, when I know that to celebrating our beautiful and diverse things are not right. I choose cultures through dance, art or to challenge injustice and even cookery. gender inequality wherever I encounter it. To be an activist, you don’t have Each year we come together to be a public figure or march Join with us, be inspired through the streets with by others in our community, with our community to celebrate a placard. You can simply choose share your culture and International Women’s Day (IWD). to challenge through make your own ‘choose The fact that we usually celebrate your day-to-day actions. to challenge’ statement, I grew up with my Grandmother because together we after IWD is no mistake. It’s a in Yemen. She was a young can make a difference. conscious choice. You see, while widow who did not know how IWD is always an important event to read or write, with five children depending and one we engage in each year, on her, but she was we see it not as a one-off, but still able to challenge Afrah Qassim a starting point. and navigate her male- Savera UK CEO & Founder dominated environment to ensure that she was not cheated out of the land/farms that belonged to her

3 4 A CHAT WITH: You have been on TV since you were Activism is 15 years old, appearing on shows like , , No Angels SUNETRA just putting and now . When did you first realise how powerful your SARKER your hand up voice and opinions could be? “When I was doing Casualty, We caught up with Savera When did you become aware of the and speaking one episode had an FGM storyline. UK ambassador and star things you wanted to speak up for? This was a big turning point for me, “From about the age of 30 I started up for things because I was invited to speak about of ’s Ackley paying a lot more attention to the the issue in places where I didn’t Bridge, Sunetra Sarker, causes I wanted to support and the you believe in. normally get invited to speak, such about activism and using things I believed in. I’d look at both as on Radio 4. I realised then that I sides of the story, because if you had an extra voice that I could use our own platforms to don’t look at what the people on the to support ideas and beliefs that speak up about beliefs and opposite side of a debate or belief I thought people may need to see are saying you can’t really explain causes that matter to us. from another point of view. This in your views.” turn led me to being appointed as an ambassador for Savera UK, giving me Do you consider yourself How do you use your platform even further opportunity to speak to be an activist? as an actor to drive change? out against harmful practices.” “I never used to think I was an “I used to think my job was to learn activist. I think I was quite scared the lines and just act as the person of the word when I was younger, I was playing. Then, as I became because it felt like it was quite more of a household name, I realised aggressive, that you had to have I had another job as well. Being on quite an outspoken stance to be an TV gave me a profile and with that, activist. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve I had a chance to invite people started to understand what activism who liked my work, to hear what actually is. Activism is just putting I think about other things as well, your hand up and speaking up for things that they may not hear things you believe in. As you get about anywhere else. Being known older you start realising the things as an actor is a bit like having a you do believe in, and the things loudspeaker so you can speak to you definitely don’t believe in.” the whole street at once, instead of knocking on every individual door.”

5 6 There is still a fear EVERYDAYEVERYDAYEVERYDAY ACTIVISTS:ACTIVISTS:ACTIVISTS: COMMUNITYCOMMUNITYCOMMUNITY WOMENWOMENWOMEN of speaking out Here in Merseyside, we are surrounded by many incredible women who are activists, choosing to challenge inequality and abuse. You can meet some of them here. Why do you think people still Sunetra’s top tips fear the idea of being an “activist” for everyday activism and how do we overcome this? 1. Go online and read articles/ Dee Abimbola, “I think that in today’s climate watch videos about topics that Development Manager, there is still a real fear about concern and/or interest you - really Rainbow 50+ Community Ibby Alasaly, calling people out. I feel like we understanding a topic will give you Organisation Business Owner, hear so much about people that the confidence to speak up about it Amani Services - Events get shouted down for saying “As a researcher and public speaker, something that other people 2. Use hashtags to find people and my interests in challenging gender “Many people are surprised when don’t agree with, that there groups with shared beliefs, who inequalities generally and within they see my all-female team arrive is a fear of speaking out and you can get involved with through African culture in particular span at venues as we carry big loads, build standing out. I think we can engaging, volunteering or donating more than three decades. Within stages on-site and drive big vans. overcome this by finding my role as Development Manager, We have had people make comments communities of like-minded people, 3. Share articles and videos with I promote the rights of women often about how it’s a man’s job to be lifting groups that advocate for the things your friends and use them to start overlooked within communities and how they are surprised girls can that you believe in. That way you conversations and cultures by: helping to develop lift and move so much. I also think can stand together and you’ll often a gender-equal and diversified that being a Muslim Yemeni Woman find that’s an easier starting point.” 4. Use social media to follow people organisation, raising awareness working in this sector and actively who align with your beliefs and share of unconscious bias, creating flexible speaking with men, has broken their message by retweeting or working hours for women, actively many barriers both in my community reposting from your channels encouraging aspirations of women and out. It’s broken down cultural, from BAME backgrounds and gender and religious barriers. People positively encouraging women see my business as real and me to tell their stories in a way that as a human being.” empowers them.” amaniservices.co.uk facebook.com/rainbow50somethings 7 8 EVERYDAY ACTIVISTS: COMMUNITY WOMEN CONTINUED

Geraldine Judge, Aleasha Chaunte Joanne Tremarco, Advice Advocacy and Deborah Wintle-Escott, Freelance educator, & Service Support Co-Director, One September birth worker, artist and fool, Team Leader, FoolSize Theatre Irish Community Care (ICC) “We are a female led organisation rooted in our values which include “I run weekly sessions to support “ICC is a community organisation equality, inspiration and joy. We ‘mothers to be’ in their birth working with anyone who is Irish, Irish challenge gender-based violence and preparation. I’m passionate about Traveller, of Irish Descent and Romani abuse in our practices, speaking up supporting women to know their Gypsy. ICC engages its communities and offering the floor to people to rights and practise embodied consent on the basis and principles of Asset tell their own story in an atmosphere to avoid unnecessary procedures Based Community Development and of dignity and mutual respect. No or obstetric violence. Using arts Engagement, working with people one is perfect so we consider this and humour promotes healing and as advocates and facilitators, to a continuous work rather than a understanding. I use visual art and have their voices heard. We support standard we have already achieved. performance to promote female community members to be proactive We choose to celebrate the joy sexual pleasure and run theatre and empowered within their and achievements of the women workshops that enable people to community and address inequalities and female identifying people who address the wounded feminine. I have by setting up focus groups, have always been there, making a worked for Savera UK Youth to help service user forums and linking our difference, but whose contributions create performances and poetry to communities to cultural events such were erased from history.” tackle harmful practices. Additionally, as the Irish Festival. We I created ‘Clitletoe’, an educational have an active volunteer base and oneseptember.co.uk Christmas decoration, to raise are always looking for people to join.” awareness about, both, the clitoris and harmful sexual practices.” irishcc.net foolsizetheatre.com

9 10 EVERYDAY ACTIVISTS: CHALLENGING HARMFUL PRACTICES: TANIA’S STORY Savera UK Youth is a group of 11 – 25 year Follow Savera UK Youth on Instagram @SaveraUKYouth Ahead of her departure following four-and-a-half years old activists who come together to speak working with Savera UK, Service Development Manager, out against harmful practices. They give a voice to the younger generation and empower, Tania Vera-Rigby shares her experience of choosing to inspire and educate their peers, while gaining new skills. challenge harmful practices and supporting survivors

Here two members of the Youth Advisory Board share what they and those at risk. #Choose to Challenge “We’ve come a long way since I joined “Working in a sector that not many Savera UK in December 2016. I have people know about, we have helped seen the service team grow from so many survivors of HBA when they myself and my computer alone in the had nowhere else to go or when no Naomi Hannah office, to a full-time team of eight. one was listening. Often, it is left to Savera UK to provide our clients with What do you #ChooseToChallenge? What do you #ChooseToChallenge? “Savera UK has been instrumental the additional support they need. I am a strong believer in education, I joined the Savera UK Youth in providing expert advice and and with education comes clarity Advisory Board to make a difference. guidance about harmful practices “As a voluntary organisation, and understanding. Our duty as I wanted to be an activist for a cause to professionals across Merseyside when we feel our clients’ and our Savera UK Youth Advisory Board I am passionate about and Savera and the UK, and it provides direct professional concerns/expertise is to inform young adults, like UK gave me that platform. During practical and emotional support are not taken seriously, it leaves ourselves, about gender inequality lockdown, we launched our Instagram to anybody at risk of these practices our clients vulnerable and this can and abuse so they can assist us page (@SaveraUKYouth) to raise and ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA). I am be frustrating. However, myself and in eradicating these practices for awareness about FGM, forced so proud of how far we have come. the whole team - old and new - have future generations. People of all marriage, and ‘honour’ based abuse. remained at the forefront, fighting ages and backgrounds do not know On International Women’s Day, we “One of the main challenges for our clients and I know Savera UK the physical and psychological raised our hand with other activists throughout my time at Savera UK will continue to do so. I’d like to take impact that harmful practices have to speak out about these practices. is the continuous gap in knowledge this opportunity to thank all staff, on women and girls and so we use I have become more vocal about with professionals around these past and present for their dedication art, poetry, performance and social gender inequality and abuse, voicing risks, which is often due to high staff in supporting Savera UK’s clients. It media to change attitudes and to others about the abuse victims rotation within agencies but also can has been a pleasure to work with you speak out. endure. I follow more news stories be down to an unconscious bias, so and I will forever be proud of the work about these inequalities because there is a constant need for our team and impact we have had and the lives I want to know more. to advise and lead on such cases. that we have saved.”

11 12 Q: Do you believe “There is also a quote that is that dance – attributed by some to Queen and art more Victoria: ‘Beware of artists. They mix generally – can be with all classes of society and are used as a form of therefore most dangerous.’ Being an protest and activism? artist often means stepping in and A: “Yes, 100 percent. As out of different social circles, from dance is a visual artform performing to the rich and influential, that involves the body, it to perhaps taking on menial jobs can be seen as inherently in hard times. This means the artist political and inextricably has a view on life that is unique linked with representation and is therefore ideally placed to and identity. It can also make work which reflects society happen anywhere, breaking from all angles.” boundaries of space, occupying environments and changing them. Q: Can celebrating a culture through Q&A: MOVEMA There is a long history of artists dance also be seen as activism? using movement and dance to A: “We think so! It’s a way of allowing convey messages, their starting individuals to be seen, to embody point is often their own bodies and and therefore come closer to other Movema is an award-winning world dance the oppression they may cultures, it’s a way of doing this with company run by four women from diverse be experiencing. respect and generating a deeper cultural backgrounds - Chinese, Malaysian, understanding, which is what we Caribbean and Irish/British. The dance company Q: In what ways can dance need these days.” be used as a form of protest? celebrates diversity through dance, providing A: “Carnival can be seen as a safe spaces for different communities to come radical act, occupying the streets together, participation and learning projects and moving together. The coming and opportunities for professional and emerging together of people from different backgrounds and identities, using the dance artists. body in a way that is not just for work or religious reasons can all be seen We caught up with founding member, as subversive. Maria Malone, to talk art and activism.

13 14 What are the aims of the course? TAKING “We have worked with women from many different backgrounds, for example a Syrian refugee and a Ugandan immigrant. These are voices that are often CONTROL not given a platform. What the course aims to highlight is the importance of allowing their voices and stories to be heard. We give participants the skills to be able to take control of their own stories and share them with confidence. OF YOUR This covers everything from identifying the story that you want to tell, to responding to questions from interviewers in such a way that you can keep STORY the conversation focused on the story YOU want to tell - not the interviewer.”

We caught up with BBC Radio Merseyside What practical skills do participants learn at iWoman Academy? presenter and founder and CEO of iWoman “The course covers everything from finding a story, writing radio show Academy, Ngunan Adamu, to discover how scripts and interview techniques, to using studio equipment, blogging and vlogging and editing a radio show. Everything we do aims to build the Academy is helping women across confidence and transferable skills that can be taken into any workplace.” the UK take ownership of their own stories and careers.

So tell us Ngunan, what is iWoman Academy and who is it for? What topics have previous participants covered? “iWoman Academy is a 12-week course to help empower and upskill women “Health is a global concern and often a focus. Fern Thompson, a recent using radio production techniques. It was established to help unemployed participant, looked at Genophobia or the fear of sex or sexual intimacy, women in the region to develop their skills and give them the confidence to while another, Rachel Gnagniko, shared her personal journey with get into the media. This element was funded, but there will also soon be a paid fibroids. Whatever topic participants choose to cover is one that truly option which will allow any woman to enroll on the course. The paid participants matters to them.” will enable us to self-fund even more places for unemployed women and those from deprived backgrounds, without being reliant on external funding.” To read participant stories or find out more about iWoman Academy visit iwoman.co.uk

15 16 INCREASEINCREASE YOURYOUR TAKETAKE ACTION!ACTION! SELF-BELIEFSELF-BELIEF You can #ChooseToChallenge by According to meditation and holistic coach, Accept compliments supporting organisations like Savera UK. Malminder Gill, self- When we feel bad about ourselves, Here are five ways you can get involved: belief is key to gaining we find it hard to hear and believe the confidence we need the good things people say about us. You may even go as far as to tell the to assert our beliefs, Recognise and other person why they are wrong. call out abuse opinions and decisions. Instead of rejecting compliments, Educate yourself on the signs say a simple ‘thank you’. In time, you of ‘honour’-based abuse and Join our campaign She said: “Our self-belief can will start listening to these positive harmful practices and learn Share your stance on harmful fluctuate, usually because we have comments and they will improve your where to go to get help. practices on social media using confidence in some areas of our lives, self-belief. #ImSpeakingOut and tag in but not others. This may make your @SaveraUK. self-esteem worse because you Join Savera UK Youth Stop using negative words start to see these individual aspects When we talk to ourselves, we often If you’re aged 11 - 25, you can as more important than how amazing use negative words like ‘should have’, be part of a generation making you are as a whole.” ‘can’t’, ‘need’ and ‘must’. For example, change. Join our youth advisory Donate or fundraise for us when you don’t complete something board and help us, while gaining Raise money through running, If you improve how you feel about you need to do or must do, you might useful skills. bake sales, or even get your yourself as a whole, you can increase feel like you have let yourself, or business to back us. Every single your self-belief and confidence to others, down. These words trigger assert your feelings and opinions. Volunteer with us penny goes towards providin feelings that stop you for getting life-saving services Here are her top tips. what you want out of life, so stop Share your time and skills with us. using them in self-talk. From helping us to host a coffee Be kind to yourself morning, to joining our advisory Learn to recognise your critical inner For more tips, visit Malminder’s blog board, there are many ways to help. voice and when you hear it, try to talk at www.hypnosis-in-london.com to it like you would talk to a friend. For more information, visit: You can be honest, but you will be saverauk.co.uk/what-can-you-do/get-involved/ more kind, fair and reasonable.

17 18 organisation. The vision is to ensure women feel represented and ready A word from our sponsors to maximise their potential within “The LCR Combined Authority an empowering community. ​​​​​​​As the HOW WE is passionate about ensuring positive first woman director appointed at HOW WE opportunities for women both within Merseytravel and now one of three the organisation and across the women directors at the Combined domestic abuse not to suffer in #CHOOSETOCHALLENGELiverpool city region. The CA works Authority, I am absolutely dedicated #CHOOSETOCHALLENGEsilence. Taking the first step is closely with many organisations to levelling up the opportunity in our “Reducing domestic abuse is a difficult, but local services are here and we are looking at ways we organisation to create a more diverse key priority for the city and work to help, offering support and advice can empower, mentor and support workforce and championing gender is ongoing to increase safety and if you need it.” girls and women across the region. equality in the workplace and the support for all our residents. Sadly, Crucially, we want to listen to what city region. reports of domestic abuse have Angela Clarke they are telling us is important to increased since the start of the Liverpool City Council’s inform policies which may impact “The Combined Authority has COVID-19 pandemic and the city Supporting Victims on them. made his commitment clear on the council is committed to working with and Vulnerable People importance of tackling abuse against partners and agencies to try to help Team Leader “Last year, we launched a staff women and I fully support the view victims to access support services. led women’s forum – LCR Women that we have to use every platform For more information visit TogetHER which brings together available to amplify the voices “We have given essential funding victimcaremerseyside.org a network of women in our of women and deliver real change. to agencies, which has enabled As the Combined Authority for the them to buy equipment so staff Liverpool City Region we will do can work from home, and has “International Women’s Day is a is no such inequality. There is all we can to achieve this change.” also been invested in PPE and “International Women’s Day is a very very special day to me but this no place for gender bias in our cleaning materials to ensure they special day to me but this year it was year it was particularly powerful community and all we need to Liz Dean are as COVID-safe as possible. The particularly powerful as it’s a call as it’s a call to action. Inequality continue to work together to make Executive Director for Corporate team has also focused on raising to action. Inequality is the biggest is the biggest social injustice of a better future for everyone.” Development & Delivery, Liverpool awareness of domestic abuse. This social injustice of our time and we all our time we all have a duty to City Region Combined Authority has included sending leaflets out to have a duty to #ChooseToChallenge. #ChooseToChallenge. Our challenge Wendy Eves residents in food parcels, advertising Our challenge involves everyone involves everyone at MSB making Senior Associate Solicitor at MSB For more information visit local support agencies in the local at MSB making a pledge so we can a pledge so we can think about Solicitors, Liverpool liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk media and on posting key messages think about gender inequality across gender inequality across all on social media and websites. all departments and all teams. It is departments and all teams. It is For more information “The key message is - you are not integral to our work, particularly with integral to our work, particularly visit msbsolicitors.co.uk alone. I urge anybody suffering vulnerable clients, to ensure there

19 20 Savera UK Client Recipes SALTFISH, PLANTAIN AND WHITE RICE

“The dish is special because it Instructions ÇOBAN KAVURMA represents the sea and the beauty 1. Soak the saltfish overnight. (TURKISH SHEPHERD’S ROAST) of St.Kitts. The dish reminds me 2. Soak the rice for 30 minutes. of a welcoming atmosphere at the 3. Boil the fish in water until tender “Shepherd’s roast is usually made during Ramadan, so it beach, with children playing in the (about 20 minutes). is a traditional and culturally special dish. Turks slaughter sand, parents laughing and jamming 4. Bring the rice to the boil and then animals every year during Ramadan and they distribute to music. With each bite you can simmer for 10 - 15 minutes. Drain the meat of the sheep to the poor. Some people make hear the waves of sea. Nothing the excess water. shepherd’s roast, while some people make kebab.” but peace, harmony and happiness, 5. Heat the oil in a large pan. Add this is what saltfish, plantain and the garlic, peppers, spring onion white rice represents to me.” and chopped onion. Add a pinch of black pepper. Cover and cook Ingredients Instructions Ingredients on low heat for 6 minutes, • 1 kg Lamb or Beef (with moderate 1. Take a wok or large frying pan • 450g Saltfish stirring occasionally. fat), cut into 3cm x 3cm cubes and place it on a high heat. • 2 cups basmati rice 6. Add the tomatoes and simmer over • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2. Put the vegetable oil in the pan • 2 cups of water a medium heat for 2 - 3 minutes. • 3 tablespoons butter and then add the cubes of meat. • 4 cloves garlic, chopped 7. Add the saltfish, butter, a pinch • 2 large onions, diced 3. Sauté the meat on a high heat • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil of salt, the chilli pepper, grated • 2 large tomatoes, diced until it absorbs its own juices • 1 red bell pepper, diced ginger and grated onion. Cover • 3 green cayenne peppers, and browns. • ½ yellow bell pepper, diced and simmer over a low heat for thinly sliced 4. Add the diced onions and sliced • ½ green bell pepper, diced 5 minutes. Then remove the fish • 1 teaspoon salt green cayenne pepper. • 6 spring onions, finely chopped and drain on paper towels. • ½ teaspoon black pepper 5. Sauté until the onions soften. • 1 small onion, chopped 8. Fry the plantain in deep oil for • 2 teaspoons red chilli pepper flakes 6. Add the diced tomatoes and sauté • A pinch of black pepper 2 - 4 minutes until the desired them until the tomatoes begin • 450g tomatoes, chopped colour. Place the plantain on to soften. • 2 tablespoons butter a paper towel to drain excess oil. 7. Add the butter and continue • A pinch of salt 9. Remove paper towels, put the to sauté the ingredients. • 2 tablespoons grated ginger fish, vegetables, plantains and 8. Add the salt, black pepper and • 1 small onion grated rice together on a plate and enjoy! red chilli pepper flakes and sauté • ¼ teaspoon chilli pepper, for another 3 minutes. It is then finely chopped ready to serve! • 2 plantains, sliced into small circles • Vegetable oil for deep frying 21 22 COLOUR ME IN CAN YOU COMPLETE Using the key below, match the numbers to the letters OUR PUZZLE? to reveal the hidden phrase. We’ve filled the first one in for you.

9

3

8

15

20 15

19

5 8 1 11 11 5 14 7 5

A B C D E F G H I J K L M 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Answer: I Choose to Challenge to Choose I Answer:

23 24 MY NAME IS:

I CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE:

I WILL DO THIS BY:

Feeling inspired, empowered and You can share your statement ready to join us in speaking out with us by taking a photo and against gender inequality and abuse? sharing it on social media. Why not write your own ‘choose to challenge’ statement here? Tag us @SaveraUK

Share with #ChooseToChallenge #ImSpeakingOut #ChooseToChallenge #ImSpeakingOut

25 26 Thank you to our kind sponsors: