Jasvinder Sanghera

Best selling Author of "Shame" and "Daughters of Shame" a personal testimony and recognised as an Ambassador For Peace by the Women's Federation of World Peace and an outstanding national campaigner advocating on the issues of forced marriages and honour based crimes. As the Director of Karma Nirvana, Jasvinder is a leader on raising the voice of victims & survivors who experience crimes rooted in the name of honour. Awarded an Honorary Doctor of the University of Derby as individual who has attained distinction and eminence in the field of forced marriages & honour based violence. Giving recognition to the achievements in campaigning to effect change within the wider community. Jasvinder has been nominated for the Public Service Award 2009 by First Women Awards.

A survivor of a forced marriage & the founder member of Karma Nirvana an Asian Male & Female Project of national & international significance.  An international inspirational outspoken voice across various media networks and recently awarded the Inspiration Award for Women 2008 stated as the Most Inspirational Non Celebrity and an outstanding public speaker and the Asian Woman of Achievement Award. Jasvinder was awarded The Woman of The Year Award within the category of Windwo to the World that salutes a woman whose courage and determination has brought our attention to the plight of other human beings and changes the way we think about the world. Most recentley awarded The Pride of Britain Award 2009.

Currently acting as an Expert Advisor to the Courts in cases of forced marriages & honour-based crimes giving evidence, providing reports, witness statements ensuring that the victim's experiences are fully represented within Criminal Justice Sector. 

What do you do at Karma Nirvana?

I see my role as ensuring that all the team are fully supported with what they do. I represent Karma Nirvana at every level ensuring that our work is represented be it the local Police station to Parliament! Fund raising and breaking the silence are key to my role and I still pray for platforms to speak about this horrific abuse.

What motivates you?

 "I went back into education aged 27 after leaving school aged 16 due to taking a stand against a forced marriage" having watched sisters being taken out of school as minors to marry men then had only met in photographs. I did my A levels thinking I couldn't do it but went on to successfully completing a  degree whilst pregnant in my final year and did it!  I regard myself as an activist and don't believe anyone should be a prisoner to their past instead an architect of their future and that anything is possible." "In these situations our families put us in the place of feeling we have shamed them, I say it is them who should be ashamed as My Honour is Their Shame" My motivation is rooted in the fact that we have yet to reach thousands of victims and I hope that as a survivor I can offer some light at the end of the tunnel for these victimss.