HEARING THEIR VOICES
HEARING THEIR VOICES:
EVENT TO SUPPORT 
WOMEN IN COMMUNITIES
On Tuesday 8th June 2010, an event titled ‘Religion, Honour & Obey’ was held to provide a platform for discussion about issues facing women in society today. The STR!VE project, which was formed by two local women, organised the event which explored issues such as domestic violence, ‘honour’ killings and the perceptions of Asian women in wider society. STR!VE is managed by St Philip’s Centre in partnership with Leicester City Coun
cil.
Highlights of the evening included a keynote speaker, Samaya Farooq who recently completed her PhD thesis at the University of Warwick looking at Muslim women’s lives, identities and experiences. Attendees also had the opportunity to view a small exhibition and put forward their ideas about how STR!VE could develop further.
Rumena Choudhury, co-founder of STR!VE said, “Through the work of numerous support agencies and research, we know that there are still too many cases of women who are facing difficulties in their own homes let alone wider society. There are also superb role models whose voices are often not heard and we want to provide a platform where this dialogue can begin to take place”.
Riaz Ravat, Faith Training Development Manager at St Philip’s Centre added, “The Religion, Honour and Obey’ evening covered some pertinent issues but the event also celebrated the excellent work which both Rumena and Sumaiya as co-founders of STR!VE have done over the past 15 months. We look forward to hearing from the attendees how STR!VE can develop further in future”.
Leicester’s Young People net nearly £10k to combat malaria
On Sunday 25th April 2010, Leicester’s Interfaith Youth Hub raised an incredible £8500 as part of World Malaria Day. Over 30 young volunteers worked tirelessly as 250 people attended Leicester’s First Ever Multifaith Dinner for Malaria.
After months of preparation, the Leicester Interfaith Youth Hub which consists of young people aged 16-25, planned and ran the entire event including providing some of the entertainment. One group performed a drama piece, called “Supply and Demand” on the injustice of malaria. Another performed “Faith Monologues”, on their own feelings and personal commitment to the cause. A final group performed “Malaria Madness”, a comedy extravaganza written by themselves, featuring an African Zulu Chief, a Mad Scientist and a special appearance from Malaria Man!
The Leicester Interfaith Youth Hub is a joint initiative between the St Philip’s Centre and the Faiths Act fellowship programme. Hub Volunteer, Shelina Patel said, “I was really excited to take part in the dinner. I think it’s really important to take action against malaria; so we did it by writing, producing and performing in a malaria themed comedy! I couldn’t believe we got a standing ovation at the end. It was all great fun!”
The unique event at the Empire Banqueting Suite, was attended by 250 people from all faiths and backgrounds in Leicester. The attendees were told that purchasing a bed net for £5 would protect an African family for up to 5 years against catching malaria, a disease which kills a million people every year, mostly pregnant women and young children.
The Assistant Bishop of Leicester, Revd Christopher Boyle said, “I am absolutely delighted at how these young people have taken the initiative on the cause of malaria. Having been Bishop in Northern Malawi, I know how crucial it is to take action against this preventable and treatable disease. The efforts of the Leicester Interfaith Youth Hub will make a real difference to the lives of 3400 Africans, by buying bed nets to protect them against malaria”.
The event was part of a global series of events for World Malaria Day, as part of the Faiths Act Network. Young adults from different faith backgrounds have been taking action around the world. These have included a Night Under Nets in London, film screenings in California, a football tournament in Montreal and an evening of African Dance and Drumming in Washington DC.
To join the hub of Multifaith young people making a difference in Leicester, access the Facebook group, “Leicester Interfaith Youth Hub” or drop into the St Philip’s Centre in Evington!
