Dame Jasvinder Sanghera is a survivor turned advocate, dedicating her life to breaking the silence around issues of forced marriage and honour-based abuse, and empowering others to do the same.

Through courage, compassion, and unwavering determination, she has become a beacon of hope for those navigating the challenging journey of escaping forced circumstances and rebuilding their lives.

She has also inspired and educated others to understand that “Cultural acceptance does not mean accepting the unacceptable,” challenging misconceptions that these harmful practices are religious, traditional, or cultural. Her efforts have brought about changes in legislation, resulting in the establishment of the first criminal offence of forced marriage in England and Wales.

This talk will be a call to action for nursing staff, who are in a unique position to help identify and support women and girls in difficult circumstances.

Karma Nirvana is the charity that Jasvinder discusses in her speech below, working to end honour-based abuse in the UK.