Views, events, and debates

Abstract

by Pragna Patel

Based in London, Southall Black Sisters is a pioneering black and Asian feminist group which has, for over 30 years, worked with women seeking to escape domestic violence and forced marriage, providing them with practical support, and campaigning on their behalf, challenging laws, policies, and attitudes which compromise the rights of women to live lives free from violence and racism. Here, Pragna Patel, founding member and driving force of SBS, tells us about the history and the work of this highly respected organisation

by Gill Hague, Ravi Thiara, and Patrick Ndira

In March 2010, the Ugandan Constitutional Court rejected a petition calling for the abolition of bride price in the country. Undaunted, activists have taken their fight to the Ugandan Supreme Court. Many believe bride price disempowers women, commodifying them and contributing to high levels of domestic violence. Below, we hear about a research project the findings of which have fed into the campaign to bring about the end of the practice.

by Adrienne Hopkins

Our Oxfam GB colleague, Adrienne Hopkins, got back to the office recently, after a work trip to Nepal, and told us about how inspired she'd been by the programme she had been to see, so we asked her to share with G&D readers what she'd learned on her visit.

Notes

1. See Bryan, B., S. Dadzie, and S. Scafe (1985) The Heart of the Race: Black Women's Lives in Britain, London: Virago Press.

For more information on SBS, see http://www.southallblacksisters.org.uk

2. REFLECT is an approach to adult learning, based on the work of Paulo Freire, that links education with wider issues of development and social change.

3. In Nepal, women commonly go to live with their husband's family after marriage. Ill-treatment of daughters-in-law is a common phenomenon.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gill Hague

Gill Hague is a Professor in the School for Policy Studies at the University of Bristol, UK

Ravi Thiara

Ravi Thiara is a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Health and Social Studies, at the University of Warwick, UK

Patrick Ndira

Patrick Ndira is Director, Evaluation and Monitoring at MIFUMI, Uganda and UK

Adrienne Hopkins

Adrienne Hopkins is a Programme Resource Officer with Oxfam GB