New Drama group for raising awareness of Forced Marriages

[saffron]

 I went to a conference on forced marriage and Honour based Violence in Staffordshire this week.

There was a presentation by a drama group, four young people, I understand that the production is supported by the Forced marriage unit.

It was excellant! And the idea is that it will now be shown in schools wherever possible.

I wanted to raise this because something was raised that I have not seen before, and I know our member 'Secret' in particular will be able to identify with why this would have beenimportant to raise.


Well the 4 young people played out 4 different scenarios of honour violence and forced marriage, one of them was about an english girl, she wore a traditional asian suit, she had an asian boyfriend and left home because her family were not happy with her, disowned her in effect.
It shows her as having the life , happy go and having friends . However everything changes for her.

 She moved to a flat,she was pregnant and married her asian boyfriend. He had pressure put on him by his family to marry , and had not told his family about marrying his girlfreind. The drama showed the boyfriend torn and very sad, he clearly wanted to be with his wife, but family had other plans. Its very sad...it shows that the family wont let him out of the house and have discovered the relationship. She is devasted  because she is isolated and alone, from her family too.

I wanted to raise this because we need to own as sisters how much our white british sisters go through,....and brothers too!

It showed me that Honour is being recognized in different threads of peoples lives,whatever background they are from. This gives me hope that white men and women who can feel so isolated in honour crimes, because that is what I call them. will begin to be seen by the younger generation in schools ,through this drama, that it can be hard for all of us unless we make a stand and support each other.

Saffron x

[chweetgurl]

Awareness is very important Saffron like you mentioned, My own personal experience with my colleagues or the non asians here is been many didnt even know about Arranged/Forced marriage concept cause it doesnt not exist in western culture.When i mentioned to them about my relationship with an non asian and my fmaily didnt know they were shocked cause its more of the children's choice here.They have more freedom when they hear this stuff seems to them i came from different planet!
Creating awareness might help non asians to handle the relationship be aware of the pressure it comes with.

[Spidax]

I wish i had known about this happening! I work at the theatre this conference was held at but only in the evenings and Ive been off work for a couple of weeks! darn it
I would also love to know how to get involved in this sort of thing.
Is there somewhere I can find out about supporting it do u know?

[saffron]

Thats amazing Spidax !

I was invited by a friend, otherwise I would not have known about it really. I wonder how you would be able to do find out more about this  small production,they will obviously be taking it into schools...I know that if you contact the Forced Marriage Unit they would be someone there who would let you know who is linked there with it , the head of the unit would have been there to see it.

I dont know how you could be involved in the drama group,but if you want to attend Forced marriage conferences you can contact Karma Nirvana as they are often invited to attend for speaking events. You can email them ...if you look them up on the internet ,their website comes up and you can post them a message on this. Or you might prefer to phone them.
I know that they are very busy, so keep trying.

There are other Forced Marriage organisations around, training organisations, which you can look by browsing on the internet,I know leicester have a training organisation that deals with FM traing events...I understand that there is one sometime this year but not sure how we find out where or when.

Also Forced marriage unit may give you information about where their events are next time..try that too.


I am attending a conference sometime in the next couple of weeks,up in Lancaster,which is a another big event.

There is usually a cost for the training events because they are aimed at agencies who are in contact with people who may potentially be forced into a marriage, or responsible in their service to make sure that people receive the right help and advice.

Sometimes there are free events, I understand that there was one in Leicestershire/loughborough a few weeks ago which I could not make,but My hubby's work people attended. I really dont know how to go about finding out when events happen unless you can speak to the organisations Ive mentioned...I know other people on MT have shown an interest for their uni studies etc ...so I thought I would put this detail in for everyone,as possibilites to try.

[chweetgurl]

I shall keep an eye on london conferences Saffron, We do need to support such causes.Thank you for the info