People

Jasvinder Kaur Sanghera: On List of World's Top 100 Inspiring Women

by EMINE SANER

Sikh-Briton Jasvinder Kaur Sanghera has ben selected as one of 100 of the world's most inspirational women, selected to mark the 100th International Women's Day, which annually celebrates the ­economic, political and social achievements of women.

The panel, organized by the Guardian, wanted to focus on role models from all over the world and from all walks of life. The women on this list have largely achieved astonishing feats in their own right, but most have also in some way helped their fellow women.

As Madeleine ­Albright once said: "There's a special place in hell for women who don't help other women."

Growing up in Derby, England, Jasvinder ran away from home at 15 to avoid a forced marriage.

When her elder sister, terrified of her abusive husband, killed herself in 1987, Jasvinder set up Karma Nirvana, a charity that has helped thousands of women, through its refuges in Derby and Stoke-on-Trent and its "honour" violence helpline.

As a campaigner, Jasvinder recently criticised the British government's forced marriage protection orders - introduced in 2008 and under which young people are able to apply for legal protection from their families - saying they do not go far enough, and that breaches of the orders are rarely followed up.

Jasvinder is also the author of the award-winning novel, Shame.

[Courtesy: The Guardian]

March 8, 2011

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