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Jasvinder Sanghera, Founder of Karma Nirvana
Jasvinder is the UK’s foremost national campaigner on honour-based violence and forced marriage. Acting as an expert to Government, Jasvinder has used the authority of her life experience to inform legislative change and has been credited for her role in bringing about the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007.
Best-selling author of ‘Shame’ and ‘Daughters of Shame’, she has dedicated her life’s work to making sure the subject of honour-based violence is brought out into the open - where it can be seen, heard, critically examined and stopped. Among her many accolades and awards, she has been recognised as an Ambassador for Peace by the Women’s Federation of Peace. Along the way she has also scooped up the ultimate national badge of respect - the Pride of Britain award 2009.
Having founded the Karma Nirvana project in 1993, Jasvinder’s life has been profoundly shaped by her passionate commitment to justice and her belief that all people, regardless of race, colour or creed, have an unequivocal right to the same human freedoms. She has taken the fight to end honour-based violence to the whole of the UK and plans to go on – and on – until this scandal ends.
Whatever our individual beliefs at Karma Nirvana, there is one thing that we – the rest of the KN team – agree on: we believe there’s a very special place in heaven for Jasvinder, and we’re enormously proud to be a part of this terrific project which has been instrumental in giving a voice to thousands of men and women, helping them achieve the freedoms the rest of society takes for granted.
Anup, Project Manager
Anup’s main role is to look after management and reporting at Karma Nirvana – so he takes care of the serious stuff like funding applications, accounts/financial control and charity reporting. Joining the Karma Nirvana team with his strong financial background, he has the key responsibilities of looking after media enquiries, meetings, events and structural developments within the charity. Approaching his busy workload with a high degree of commitment and good-humoured intelligence, it’s no wonder Anup is a man who says he likes a challenge!
Natasha, Help-line coordinator
With her impressive track record in advocating for domestic violence victims, we were delighted when Natasha joined the Karma Nirvana team in 2000. A forced marriage expert, she has played a key role in the strategic development of the KN project. She currently takes the lead on training and recruiting volunteers for the Honour Network Helpline and was the 2009-2010 recipient of the much-coveted Anthony Walker scholarship awarded by the Crown Prosecution Service. With a passion for fighting injustice, a first-rate CV and some serious smarts, we’re sure the future holds great things for our Natasha.
Priya, Senior Call Handler
Priya’s background in children’s services and education makes her well-suited to the sensitive task of overseeing the daily functioning of the Honour Network help-line. Bringing her natural warmth, sensitivity and intelligence to the KN team, she is a strong point of contact for victims of honour-based abuse and says that the most fulfilling aspect of her role is in knowing that, each day, she makes a positive difference to the lives of victims. With a degree in Childhood and Youth studies, Priya currently co-ordinates childrens’ services in the Leeds area.
Anna, Call Handler
Anna has been involved with the Karma Nirvana project for over ten years and is an expert in issues faced by South Asian, Middle Eastern and Eastern European women. Over her years of supporting the KN project, she has developed a specialism in the male experience of honour-based abuse. As well as her vast amount of personal and professional experience, her natural qualities of empathy, dedication and commitment make her a serious and much-valued member of the team.