Mojatu Magazine Berkshire B039

Female Genital Mutilation FGM – FACTS , HELP & ACTIONS Facts

• FGM is any procedure that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

• FGM has been illegal in England and Wales since 1985.

• FGM is a form of child abuse and violence against women and girls. •

• FGM is Non-Islamic, against the teachings of Islam and brings Islam into disrepute.

• FGM is putting the health of our daughters, sisters, mothers and wives at great risk.

•

• Over 200 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM.

• 103,000 women aged15 to 49 are living with consequences of FGM in England & Wales.

• In the UK, an estimated 20,000 girls under the age of 15 are at risk of FGM each year.

1,230 cases have been reported in the Midlands from April 2020 to March 2021

Help

Are you concerned a girl or woman is at risk or need of support?

•

• Join the Community FGM Steering Group: Contact us

• For emotional & peer support for survivors in Nottingham, join the FGM Survivor’s club: Contact us

• Refer survivors needing medical attention to FGM medical specialist in Nottingham: Contact us

•

Drop in sessions at Mojatu Office Unit 7, Howitt Bldg, Lenton Blvd, Lenton, Nott`s NG7 2BY

• Call 0808 028 350 for a 24/7 anonymous FGM helpline or email: fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk

• Call Nottingham City Council Children and Families Direct: 0115 876 4800

• Ring the police on 999 if FGM has just happened or about to happen

Actions

Ac tivities include:

To help end FGM and support survivors, join one of our campaigns or projects

• FGM Survivors Club

• FGM Steering Group

• FGM Global Faith Ambassador

• FGM Global Young Ambassador

• Request for training

Fruit Har vesting

• Volunteer with us

Tree Management

• ‘Adopt a tree’ project

Weeding for Pumpkins

• Donate to support our work

Feeding the animals

• Fundraise to support our work

• Women Skillshare Group

For more information, contac t Mojatu Foundation

Phone: 01158457009 Mobile: 07759 927671

Email: info@mojatufoundation.org | Website: www.mojatufoundation.o

As we continue to enjoy the spring ahead of the most waited and needed summer, the community champions continue with what they know best—being the change they seek by empowering the communities to be a voice to their wellbeing. Their unwavering energy and commitment seem to continue inspiring and attracting more to our community championship. They continue to explore and engage with some of the most difficult but most needed conversations ranging from understanding dementia, drug abuse & addiction, overdose in crying for help, the need to cry in better managing mental health to living with the trauma of the cost of living and many more.

As is our custom, our cover girl—Grace Powell, a great long time community ambassador, a mentor to many and meets you with a natural beautiful smile. Grace, as you are going to read in her story, has lived a life of service which undeniably gives her energy, wisdom, and positive outlook to life as you can see. Her rich career was not just a day job that put food on the table for her family but willingly extended that to her community the benefits of which we continue to share and will be shared by the generations to come.

As reminded in the previous edition by Zainabu Koroma, another of our great ambassadors, SELF-CARE is a phenomenon that every woman should have. Get to hear more about how that helps in healthy weight management, avoiding silent heart attacks, better managing your mental health and more.

As always, we continue to Engage, Inspire, Empower and most of all, Collaborate in realising our Health & Wellbeing initiatives without leaving anyone behind. Get in touch on how you can be involved.

Managing Editor: Cecily Mwaniki

Editorial

Cover

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers. Every effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot

Group Editor: Peter Makossah: peter.makossah@mojatu.com

Editor: Raveena Hagun raveena@mojatu.com

Assistant Editor: Chloe Jones and Eva Karanja

Design: Robert Borbely: robert@mojatu.com

Photos: www.freepik.com unsplash.com

Contributors: Chloe Jones | Raveena Hargun | Chukuemeka|

Cecily Mwaniki |Salome Buraganya | Eva Karanja |Tristan

Best| Jamie Morris| Grace Powell

Social Media: Raveena Hagun raveena@mojatu.com

Sales & Marketing: Eva Karanja marketing@mojatu.com

Community Engagement: John: john@utulivu.com

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News & Comments: news@mojatu.com

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THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ZERO TOLERANCE FOR FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (2023)

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) comprises all the procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or another injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It has existed for more than 2,000 years and is performed on girls from birth, up to just before marriage and sometimes beyond.

It is now recognised internationally as a violation of human rights, health and integrity of girls and women. Everyone has a right to be free, it is that freedom we advocate for through empowering women and raising awareness. We are promoting/ safeguarding their well-being.

The 4 types of FGM

1. Cut of the skin, with or without excision of part or the entire clitoris.

2. Cut the clitoris with the partial or total cut of the small lips.

3. Cut off part or all of the genital parts and stitching/ narrowing of the vaginal opening. This type is most common in Somalia and Sudan

4. Unclassified - includes pricking or incising of the clitoris or lips, burning of the clitoris or introduction of aggressive substances or herbs into the vagina. Sometimes the clitoris is burned rather than incised.

FGM health risks and implications include:

The limbs could be broken because they are forced to restrain, No healing, Wound abscess, Urine infection, Backache, Birth complications, HIV / AIDS hepatitis

B and C, Painful sex, Mental health, PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, Death, and more mental and physical complications

An estimated 200 million girls and women have undergone FGM and an estimated 4 million are at risk of being forced to undergo the procedure every year. It is concentrated in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and is the most prevalent in the Horn of Africa.

The reasons why FGM is performed vary from one region to another as well as over time and include a mix of sociocultural factors within families and communities. Where FGM is a social convention, the social pressure to conform, and to be accepted socially, and the fear of being rejected by the community are

By Chloe Jones

strong motivations for the practice.

FGM is often considered a necessary part of raising a girl, and a way to prepare her for adulthood and marriage. This can include controlling her sexually to promote premarital virginity and marital fidelity. Some people believe the practice has religious support, although no religious scripts prescribe the practice. Religious leaders take varying positions about FGM with some contributing to its abandonment.

The practice has no health benefits and it is an illegal practice in the UK since 1985- a sentence of 15 years plus a severe fine if found guilty. In addition to the FGM Act 2003, the Serious Crime Act 2015, also introduced some extra protections for girls and women including; FGM protection order, they can go to court to apply for an order which is a document that says what should happen to protect a girl at risk. For example, it could include restricting travel if the judge feels like going abroad could put a girl at risk. It is an offence to breach the order.

Partnership with Men and Boys to Transform Social and Gender norms to end FGM. This year UNFPA and UNICEF call on the global community to partner with men and boys and foster their engagement to accelerate the elimination of this harmful practice and uplift the voices of women and girls.

Engaging boys and men to end female genital mutilation consists of

• Changing attitudes to challenge norms

• Inspiring boys and men to speak out

• Female genital mutilation is upheld by social pressure, and changing attitudes is an important step towards abandonment. A significant portion of women who have undergone female genital mutilation are expressing willingness to abandon the practice.

• Though FGM is often understood as a patriarchal norm oppressive to girls it is not upheld by men alone. A total of the 300 million boys and men living in practising countries in Africa and the Middle East, 200 million think FGM should stop.

• Fathers can play an important role as agents of change, they must actively advocate FGM Zero tolerance.

National FGM helpline: 08000283550

SPRING EQUINOX By

Spring Equinox otherwise known as The Vernal Equinox signifies the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. The word equinox comes from the Latin ‘aequus’ meaning equal and ‘nox’ meaning night. An appropriate name to describe the turning of spring as the days become equally light as they are dark. The spring equinox falls on March 20th or 21st each year.

An equinox occurs at the moment when the Earth’s axis doesn’t tilt towards or away from the sun. September 22nd or 23rd marks the Autumn equinox in the northern hemisphere.

Solstice vs Equinox

Summer solstice is on June 20th or 21st in the northern hemisphere. It occurs when the sun is farthest north of the equator; It’s the longest day of the year.

Winter solstice is December 20th or 21st in the northern hemisphere. The shortest day of the year. “Solstice” comes from the Latin word “solstitium” meaning “stopped sun”.

Spring Equinox Traditions

At the ruins of Chichen Itcha, in the ancient city of Maya, Mexico, crowds gather to witness the moving afternoon sun, which creates shadows resembling a serpent, slithering along the stairs of the 79-foot tall Pyramid of Kukulkan. On the spring equinox, the snake descends the pyramid until it merges with a large serpent head sculpture at the base of the structure. It is unknown whether they designed the pyramid to align with the equinox to create this visual effect.

At Stonehenge, druids and pagans congregate at the prehistoric monument in England to watch the sunrise.

The Spiritual Significance of Spring Equinox

In the yogic tradition, an equinox is seen as the day to set intentions and put energy into manifestations for the coming season. Life is awakening, trees are blooming, and there is more light and warmth. As the universe moves with you through this awakening period, you have the strength to achieve your intentions and manifest what you wish. The

Chloe Jones

meaning of equinox is equal darkness, you can take this figuratively as well as metaphorically, feeling even masculinity and femininity, light and darkness, happiness and sadness. A day where things are on a perfectly even keel, a day to transcend limitations of restrictive aspects of yourself.

Sadhguru quotes that ‘’prejudice arises in our minds because we are overly identified with something. So equinox is a day to bring balance to this”

I find this statement to be controversial, perhaps it is easier for Sadhguru to reach this equal state from his privileged position of being a man and never experiencing life as a woman within a patriarchal society, a system which benefits men and disadvantages women, And perhaps it is easier for me to reach this state from some of my privileged positions. However, to just consider this a state of meditation, removing yourself from the things you heavily identify with may help experience a feeling of equity allowing room for your mind to manifest what you wish for in life and truly believing in your capability.

The way in which I celebrate spring equinox

On the day of the spring equinox, I meet with my sister. We surround ourselves with things that symbolise the beginning of life, eggs, sprouting herbs, potted plants, wild running water, blooming trees, and candles. We write poetry together and think of all the things we are grateful for.

We think of things we wish to shed, to make room for the things we wish to manifest. Often mine will be to do with shedding insecurities and judgement to make room for self-love, acceptance and trust. We spend all day outside around nature, lighting candles for warmth.

Consider what the elements do for our well-being. The earth grounds us and allows us to feel rooted somewhere. Water allows us to process, flush out our emotions and move freely emotionally. Fire gives us warmth and light, energy and passion. Air allows us to breathe, and appreciate space and growth. I will spend the day practising radical self-love, considering what to let go of. I want to feel grounded and loved and I wish the same for you.

THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR YOU

Get up to speed on the financial struggles being faced by households across the nation…

The initial cost of living has been quickly increasing across the United Kingdom since the early months of 2021, following the economic stumble that Covid-19 had left upon our nation. The annual inflation rate reached 11.1% – a 41-year peak – before decreasing to 10.7% in November 2022, which is still alarmingly high. This ultimately caused an increase in the cost of the household items which we use every day.

According to government research and estimates, the percentage is meant to decrease by 2% by 2024, which is great but not enough. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had a knock-on effect on the price of gas and electric, water and fuel, which are all skyrocketing and putting strain on our pockets here in the UK.

The economy is struggling, and it is gradually getting more and more difficult for smaller businesses as it is

By Tristan Best

becoming extremely difficult to trade with Europe. As a direct result of this, the economy is less resilient, less productive, less flexible and less responsive to the global market.

In GDP growth, the UK has fallen behind other countries such as Germany, Japan, USA and Canada, and the USA’s rate is positively soaring above us at the time of writing. Another unfortunate consequence of all of this is that more people are at risk of homelessness, with rates increasing, and more and more jobs becoming insufficient to fund the needs of the general public.

This level of stress and anxiety is also having an affect on people’s mental health, and their physical health may also be impacted by a change in diet or the need to take on longer shifts. The latter also inevitably takes the time out of their social lives – a night out and a meal, now off the cards for many.

NHS INJECTS £975M P/A TO MENTAL HEALTH

By Chloe Jones

The NHS long-term plan is to transform community mental health, putting an extra £975 million per year into this plan by 2024. The aim is to help 37000 people/patients who suffer severely from mental health, (psychosis, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, eating disorder, severe depression, rehabilitation needs) by making primary and community health care available, designed to improve patient’s experiences and outcomes on their journey to better mental health.

It is not always just a diagnosis people want or need, mental health services that go beyond their diagnosis are crucial for many. To feel seen and heard as a person rather than an illness/diagnosis. This promising integration will bring togetherness to work towards helping someone’s overall well-being.

It is societal pressure and expectation to be labelled with an understood diagnosis, but the complexities of being human go so much further than a label and an individual’s well-being should be tailored to their issue, not dismissed and treated with a one-size fits all approach.

Each illness has its own eligibility criteria, processes

and data systems meaning people severely suffering do not always get the support they need or that makes a difference.

This NHS long-term plan is also an acknowledgement, validating many people’s anxieties surrounding community and professional services. It is clear that the long waiting times and long-winded admin can create a risk of people giving up on the system as it feels out of their hands.

It can be expected from the integrated model that holistic and people-centred care is a priority. Integration of physical and mental health, the integration of primary and secondary care and the integration of social and health care for people with long-term needs or specific concerns will receive fast access to highquality care. It marks a significant cultural shift.

A holistic and community-based offer with personalised and trauma-informed care. It also aims to meet people’s social needs which are known to significantly impact somebody’s difficulties. The new model is inclusive and proactively ensures people’s individual needs are met.

every walk of life, empowering them with the knowledge and confidence to spot abuse in relationships and support their friends.

Your Best Friend aims to give 10,000 and ultimately over one million other young people the knowledge, confidence, and tools to keep themselves and their friends safe in their ultimate relationships.

#FriendsCanTell is the Campaign that aims to denormalize the controlling behavior that hundreds of young people told us is so common that they consider it normal. The campaign is across social media such as Tik Tok, Instagram, Twitter, films, and podcasts.

This Campaign we did for your best friend #FriendsCanTell was for eight weeks. The topics we focused on were: Core Values; Being a positive bystander; Rights in Relationships; Gender Stereotypes. Listening, communicating, & understanding; Principles of a healthy relationship; Principles of Sexual Relationships & Sexual Content Online.

LIFE OF SERVICE

Grace is one of the great community ambassadors of our time. Ever since I met Grace, I became curious to know more about her life’s journey and then persuaded her to be our cover girl and share it with our esteemed communities to get the inspiring effect that I got. I thank Grace for remaining so committed to our communities in being the change she has always sought. Inspiring, and supporting others to do the same hence the empowered grassroots communities. Below, Grace wrote about her life’s journey of service.

By Grace Powell

of staff members dealing with racial discrimination, harassment and unfair practice.

Basingstoke Community Work

One day whilst at work my manager said to me that Basingstoke Borough Council require a representative for their Diversity group: “As you are always busy with church and the community, I am sending you.” This was the beginning of my new and different role. The community had a new meaning. I very quickly learnt that there were over twenty different minority groups in the Borough. Previously I was an active member of the United Caribbean Association, which sadly had been closed down when the building was demolished for redevelopment.

I was elected as the first chair of the Diversity Group which later became Basingstoke Multicultural Forum, a registered charity. It was an opportunity for people of colour to unify together and stand as one rather than continue the divide-and-rule game. When we are united, we become strong, and our voices are heard. Basingstoke Caribbean Society and Friends for over 16 years were part of the Basingstoke Multicultural Forum (BMF).

Black History Month and Windrush

Background

Born in Jamaica I joined my parents in England in 1960. Primary school and secondary education provided me with no cultural or historical facts which represented my origin. I learnt about the Romans, the Ice Age, and the Tudors and Stuarts. It is no small wonder that I developed an interest in Africa and the slave trade. The stories of the Vikings whilst interesting gave me no idea of who I was and I was baffled by the constant teasing at school regarding what banana boat I travelled in, especially as I travelled by BOAC airplane. From an early age, my grandmother taught me to pray and read my Bible. There was no deviation, no sideways turn. “Do unto others as you would they do to you”. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes will have eternal life”. These words from my beloved Mama (grandmother) shaped me into a life of service. To give without seeking reward.

Profession

I am a retired qualified Social Worker/Probation Officer, Trainer and Diversity Manager Working in Hampshire and Surrey. I was also active in the Association of Black Probation Officers (ABPO) as an Equal Rights representative, South Regional Convener, National Vice Chair and Chair for over 14 years working on behalf

Without a knowledge of your past, you cannot plan your future. I believe it is of paramount importance to know our cultural heritage. I am a proud woman of African descent, born in the Caribbean. October will always remain a significant month for history. It is important that our cultural heritage is taught to our youth and does not become lost, or we become negatively, integrated to the point of loss of identity.

I am pleased that we now have June 22 as National Windrush Day. To Celebrate, Educate and Empower. We were invited to the United Kingdom by the British Government as British Citizens in the Caribbean to come and help rebuild the UK after World War II and we have made significant contributions to NHS, Engineering, and various industries, through our resilience we endured and stayed.

THE INNOCENCE PROJECT AND THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS ON MEN FOR BEING WRONGLY ACCUSED -

By Chloe Jones

The Innocence Project USA is a nonprofit legal organisation that is committed to exonerating individuals who have been wrongly convicted, through the use of DNA testing and working to reform the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice. It works to free the innocent and create fair, compassionate and equitable systems of justice for everyone.

The project has used DNA tests to launch an appeal against convictions in a trial where DNA material had not been analysed. The system had failed the accused in one of 6 ways - eyewitness misidentification, invalid forensic science, false confessions, unreliable police informants, government misconduct or insufficient public defence system. The system innocence project USA helped in acquitting 375 convicts of crimes they didn’t commit.

Bryan Stevenson explains the Equal Justice Initiative is the legacy of racial injustice in America- involving centuries of white supremacy, racial violence and the marginalisation of people of colour- has evolved into the widespread presumption that people of colour are suspicious, dangerous and criminal- that young Black men are to be feared, monitored and even hunted.

Innocent Black and Asian men are more likely to be wrongly accused of sexual assault, murder and drugrelated crimes than innocent White men. However, all men have a much higher chance of being wrongly accused of paedophilia than women which can be life-ruining.

These insidious and implicit racial and misandrist biases create perceptions and presumptions that play out continuously in societal interactions. Not only race and gender but social class are no less important, those from lower economic status are more likely to be convicted. The fact that poor people are arrested more often than rich shows that they will be brought to trial more often and this must statistically lead to more court errors.

In public perception, people with poor mental health who may fall into drug use are inextricably linked to violence and crime and seen as a potential threat as opposed to needing support from the mental health sectors which can offer drug addiction support systems.

The Innocence Project London was established in 2010 and became a registered charity in 2020. Law and criminology students work alongside a practising lawyer to review and investigate cases of convicted individuals who have maintained their innocence but exhausted the criminal appeals process. Their work aims to submit an application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission who review possible miscarriages of justice in the United Kingdom.

The chances of men being falsely accused of sexual assault, drug convictions, murder and paedophilia are a lot higher than women. Being falsely accused of such serious criminal offences can lead to serious negative consequences for the wrongfully accused and their families.

There is little research on the psychological and psychosocial impacts of wrongful accusations however from extracted data eight main themes have been identified: Loss of identity; stigma; psychological and physical health; relationships with others; attitude towards the justice system; impacts on finances and employment; traumatic experiences in custody and adjustment difficulties. Strategies for improving public perception of wrongful convictions should be explored and specific mental-health systems should be available to those wrongly accused.

You can donate money to Innocent Projects to help defend the wrongly accused and help diminish moral and media panic around black, Asian and white men by showing them support and trust.

THE NAGAR KIRTAN - By

Nagar kirtan or nagar sankirtan, is a tradition in the Indian religions involving the processional singing of holy hymns by a group in a residential area. They celebrate Vaisakhi which is the spring of the harvest festival in Punjabi.

This traditionally happens in May every year in Reading. This procession of saffron-robed Panj Pyare (which is the five Guru) is followed by Guru Granth Sahib, which is our Sikh bible which is placed onto a float. The road before the procession is cleared by Sewadars (Stewards).

The Panj Pyare, the five beloved men are initiated into the Khalsa (the brotherhood of the Sikh faith) under the leadership of the last of the ten Gurus, Gobind Singh, this started in 1699 CE. This Panj Pyare symbolises steadfastness and devotion.

Everyone is welcome to enjoy the free celebrations and join in with the Nagar Kirtan which will begin with prayers and messages for peace from the Shabad Kirtan (religious hymns).

Normally the procession will begin from Gurdwara (temple) on Cumberland Road at 10.30 am and will make its way to the Gurdwara on London Road in Reading then will go back. You would walk behind the float by covering your head with a turban, chunni, scarf or rumal.

Raveena Hargun

Some people walk without shoes on as well, but this is not required. You can come in traditional wear which is a suit for the women and kurta pajama for men however you can wear English clothes as long as they are not inappropriate.

The Nagar kirtan had been cancelled for the last 2 years due to Covid-19 but fingers crossed the Nagar Kirtan will happen this year. Also, free vegetarian food will then be served during the afternoon, which all are welcome to partake in.

FOOD4FAMILIES PROJECT

Food4families works with local communities, schools and individuals to help them sustainably grow their own food and improve their well-being. They work alongside the Reading Green well-being network, who claim that green spaces can help with climate anxiety.

Food4families explains “we support a network of community gardens across Reading to engage local people to access safe green spaces to learn and grow in. Since 2009 we have supported over 10,000 people to learn to grow in their local communities and have built more than 25 growing spaces’ their team of experienced garden tutors, outdoor practitioners and community engagers, work with local people to overcome barriers to the outdoors and equip them with skills and confidence.

Through their veg4Reading project, with the help of a network of volunteers, they have managed to grow 1.75 tonnes of fruit and veg for food banks in the past year. Proud members of the Reading Green well-

- By Chloe Jones

being network, deliver green care and nature-based interventions to people with a wide range of needs in and around Reading.

Reading Green well-being network has recently hosted a launch event for their community orchard, beginning to plant their trees from here.

Veg4Reading are proudly celebrating beating their own record and having donated a whopping 126.5kg of produce in 2022. This was all grown at the Veg4Reading beds at the Whitley grow allotment.

The wonderful volunteers should be reassured to know all their extra effort at keeping the beds well watered through the driest summer has paid off! If you’re interested in getting involved there are plenty of projects to take part in which you can access on the Food4Families website, as well as courses they are doing this spring;

https://www.food4families.org.uk/Courses.cfm

INTERNATIONAL MENS DAY AND THE PORTRAYAL OF MEN IN THE MEDIA - By

A poignant conversation was discussed during Utuvilu’s Thursday Conversations, where a mix of men and women conveyed the importance of celebrating men on International Men’s Day (IMD) This coincides with our Gender Based Violence month. On November 19th 1999, International Mens Day was founded by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh a history lecturer at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad & Tobago.

There have been persistent international calls for the creation of IMD, calls in the form of rhetorical questions about gender equality, this day does not take away from the importance of International Women’s Day and it is to be reminded that men’s contributions and concerns deserve a day of recognition in their own right.

Men face many health challenges that need to be addressed for our communities to function at their fullest potential, and whether or not they feel comfortable being vulnerable and confiding in peers and/or professionals is entirely up to the individual. However, men have faced far more ridicule for portraying their emotions as upset as opposed to anger so, it is important to be patient and understanding of men’s struggles.

Potentially there is pressure for men to listen to men without feeling the need to find a solution, just to listen and make their friend feel comfortable and safe to open up. Perhaps the practical mind of a man overrides the catharsis of just talking for the sake of getting things off their chest and managing the emotional baggage, with less seeking for a practical answer. Similar to experiencing the catharsis of being present with sadness and allowing that process of emotions to relieve them.

Growing up it’s common for boys to be celebrated for masking sadness with anger, reacting physically to issues they face. Culturally pressured to physically protect themselves and others and to be strong with machismo and to be perceived as the alpha of the group. When talking with a therapist, simply talking with a professional and exploring emotions safely can make you more present with your sadness.

If you’ve experienced anything traumatic or detrimental when you were young and didn’t have the emotional tools to cope with it, it can lead you to mask your emotions with anger. Tears have been heavily stigmatised especially when experiencing a crisis, tears may feel unproductive and selfish. You

Chloe Jones

may replace tears with anger, as anger feels like action and motivation. Using anger in replacement of another emotion is only a short-term solution and as an autonomous adult, you may use self-directed anger to motivate yourself.

But this takes you further away from yourself. Learning to sit, feel and observe the feeling of sadness will help you feel less distracted and more present. The process of crying allows you to connect with yourself and the experience of sadness is an authentic emotional expression with no defence mechanisms in place.

Another challenge men face in this era is media intensifying collective alarm, especially against black men, Asian men or men with mental illness. The media generates fear offering opportunities to vilify men, which in turn may lead to feelings of indignation and embitterment, a self-perpetuating cycle. The spread of moral and media panic manipulates public opinion, exacerbating racism, classism and misandry. Media especially plays a significant role in amplifying and constructing fear and discrimination against men with mental health.

Speaking with men who say they feel uncomfortable and judged primarily when spending time with children before they can enjoy the innocence and purity of the experience, my fear being national and international news potentially incites more discrimination against men than is fair.

Ways in which you can celebrate and help men is by donating to charities raising money for prostate cancer, encouraging men to talk to professionals, help diminish the stigma around men crying by creating safe and open spaces for this to happen. Using personal healing tools to process your emotions is important, as do things like journalling, exercising, talking and drawing.

HUMANS’ DEEPROOTED CONNECTION WITH NATURE

By Chloe Jones

The benefits of gardening are endless, varying from mental health to physical. A nurturing commitment anyone can make, even without a garden we can start with inside potted plants and herbs. Growing our own food and plants can cultivate patience and create special bonds with food. It can reduce stress, increase confidence, and give us motivation.

Even the microbes in soil have been shown to have a similar impact on our brains to antidepressants without the side effects and chemical dependency potential. Soil microbes and human health now have a positive link that has been found to be verifiable. The substance under study is Mycobacterium Vaccae and is found to mirror the effects on neurons as Prozac. The bacterium is found in soil and may stimulate serotonin production which makes you feel relaxed and happy.

The antidepressant microbes in soil cause cytokine levels to rise which results in higher levels of serotonin. When tested on rats the results were increased cognitive ability, lower stress and better concentration on tasks. Gardeners will inhale bacteria, have topical contact with them and get into their bloodstream through cuts and grazes. This impact on our brain health can reduce the chances of dementia by 36%. This could be due to it engaging with our creative thinking and problemsolving skills; thinking up ways to improve our gardens’ overall health and deterring pests.

Balancing our focused attention and fascinating attention is important for managing stress levels. When we become too focused on one thing it can become distressing. Gardening can provide fascination as well as focus. Strengthening the bond with our inner child, creativity and nature. For children it can create environmental awareness, allowing them to experience the process of the growth of their food.

The similarities between plants/trees and humans go beyond our physical characteristics, that we stand up straight with a crown on top and mobile limbs stemming from a central trunk and our tubular branches in our lungs are similar to the root system of many trees. We share a ubiquitous need for sunlight, nutrition, and water and engage in some sort of

respiration. Also being made up of cells with the same parts; The symbolism of flowers as a sexual metaphor, so much so that in Victorian times, women were not allowed to work with flowers as they coloured reproductive systems and this still remained taboo. Women were eventually permitted to work only with ferns as ferns were less sexually symbolic. However, the opportunity for women to go off on fern escapades together ignited more liberation and togetherness than Victorian men had planned for. Our connection with nature is an instinctual thing and in 2023 we feel further away from it.

We have become consumed by fast pace living and abusing natural resources, and our respect for nature has depleted. But still, nature will show us tacit acquiescence and continue to find ways within its own systems to repair and provide for the planet. An example of this is The WoodWide Web, although this subterranean social network is known to be 500 million years old, it must be working harder than ever as the forests, jungles and woods are suffering.

Millions of species of fungi and bacteria swap nutrients between the soil and the roots of trees, forming a vast, interconnected web of organisms throughout the woods. This symbiotic relationship between fungi and trees means that the trees can use the fungi network to pass on nutrients to baby-sprouting tree’s up to miles apart. When a tree knows it is going to die, it gives all of its last nutrients to other sprouting or unwell trees via the fungi network. This in itself is seemingly humanistic and very spiritual, it’s similar to our act of writing a will when we die.

There are hackers of the Woodwide social network as well though, similar to human networks, a species of Orchids have the ability to commit a fraud-like act! By sending false signals of needing nutrients, fooling the fungi network and receiving the nutrients of the tree. These fraudster orchids take advantage and interfere with the symbiotic relationship between fungi and trees.

The next issue I will discuss how our community is engaged with gardening, nature, and its effects on our well-being.

COST OF LIVING STRUGGLES DURING THE FESTIVE PERIOD

On my way to Bangkok, our stopover was in Qatar, lavished with palm walkways and ferns and lights that beamed bright white. You’d tune in to the recordings of birdsong and the artificial sound of a breeze brushing leaves against one another up in the treetops.

Being within the enclosed tamed jungle, where growth felt constricted to the perimeters of the airport walls, the seemingly peaceful place was tainted with controversies and endless metaphors. Beyond the serene green walkway was a vast bleach-stained space where cleaners swept and mopped after every person’s step.

Huge elitist shops that glistened with unsustainability and exclusivity, Gucci, Dior, Burberry – it stank of classism. This overwhelming reality check, large price tags desperately trying to grab me, reminded me of Christmas. I used these moments to cling to my gratitude for my freedom, financial security and rights. Empathy for those who struggle with feeling hope in the darkness.

During the Christmas period, working-class people could find it overwhelming, on top of the enhanced pressures of the Cost Of Living Crisis. Not only choosing to empathise with the working class but anyone who isn’t religious, who’s without family and friends or isn’t happily persuaded by overwhelming consumerist advertisements. A depiction of happy families, the abundance of food and money and shelter that currently in the UK, feels a struggle to maintain.

These times, the discriminated against are pushing hard for representation, and equity of sexuality, race, size and gender whilst companies use this

opportunity to pull on your heartstrings to make you buy things, insensitively capitalising on poignant topics.

There is a constant hum of desperation to buy things at Christmas, this evokes feelings of pressure for a large proportion of the country, we should be conscious of this as a society. I didn’t experience growing up poor, but I feel a responsibility to recognise it as potentially traumatic, to experience financial anxiety vicariously through my parents.

These high levels of stress experienced by parents lead to emotionally neglected children as parents feel a lack of capacity to be present and affectionate when under so much financial worry. This is an example of an Adverse Childhood Experience, other examples include violence, abuse or growing up in a family with mental health or substance use problems.., Dr Sharon Lambert an Irish psychologist researches Trauma. She explains..,

• Single incident Traumaunexpected and overwhelming

• Complex Traumainterpersonal and enduring

• Developmental Trauma exposure to early life Trauma

• Intergenerational Traumaliving with Trauma survivors

• Historical trauma - sexual abuse, residential schools etc.

• The experience of marginalised groups, ethnic minorities and immigrants.

Experiences like bullying, poverty, peer rejection, having no friends, racism, grief, community violence, food scarcity, the experience of the care system, poor academic experience or living in an unsafe

By Chloe Jones

environment are ACE and could potentially lead to trauma. It’s important to notice that not all, but the majority of those listed, are more likely to be experienced by working-class people. We should consider this when developing a diverse and inclusive plan amongst workplaces and education systems and media.

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention believe the way forward for preventing ACE’S are to spread the awareness that everyone can help by,

Health Providers can:

Anticipate and recognize current risk for ACEs in children and history of ACEs in adults. Refer patients to effective services and support. Link adults to a family-centred treatment approach that includes substance abuse treatment and parenting interventions.

Employers can:

Adopt and support family-friendly policies, such as paid family leave and flexible work schedules.

Communities can:

Improve access to high-quality childcare by expanding eligibility, activities offered, and family involvement. Effective social and economic supports that address financial hardship and other conditions that put families at risk for ACEs. Enhance connections to caring adults and increase parents’ and youth’s skills to manage emotions and conflicts using approaches in schools and other settings.

Everyone can: Recognize challenges that families face and offer support and encouragement to reduce stress. Support community programs and policies that provide safe and healthy conditions for all children and families.

DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION - By Chloe Jones

Another poignant and impactful Thursday chat on drug abuse and addiction. The nonjudgemental space allowed individuals to open up about this topic. We discussed whether we think the community knows enough and do we feel supported.

The streets of Reading are growingly laced with drugs, according to one report from 2018 Reading has one of the highest rates of death caused by heroin in the country. Reading borough council launched a consultation titled the Drug and Alcohol Strategy 2018-2022. The focus is on reducing the harm drugs and drink can have on people, their families and the wider community. Setting out the need to provide treatment services for anyone who needs them.

Research shows that alcohol problems are greater than drug use in Reading, councillor Graeme Hoskin said ‘’In the face of mounting government cuts to the council’s health budget, now more than ever we need to focus our limited resources in areas that will have the greatest impact”. The council’s statistics gathered in 2015 show it is estimated at least 30,000 across Reading drink at a level that could harm their health and well-being.

One of the key priorities proposed in the strategy on reducing the number of drug-related deaths was the provision to take home naloxone, used to limit the effects of opioids and reduce risks of overdoses.

These statistics show us the facts but do not provide us with an indication as to why individuals end up here. We fail to empathise, and continue to want to ‘clear up our streets’ of beggars and drugs for a ‘safer’ community.

Firstly we should differentiate between ‘abuse’ and ’addiction’

Signs of abuse can be presented as

• Neglectful of work, relationships and other responsibilities

• Using drugs under dangerous conditions and taking risks whilst under the influence

• Getting into legal trouble

• Troubles in relationships (family, friends and partner/s)

Signs of addiction can be presented as

• Uses drugs and alcohol to avoid withdrawal symptoms

• Feels as if they have no control over the usage

• Abandoning activities/responsibilities you

used to enjoy

• Continue to use despite knowing the health risks and dangers.

The initial motives for trying drugs/alcohol are usually to relax, to feel good, to experiment, to relieve physical/mental pain and to socialise. The average age for first trying substances is 14, the brain is still developing and more susceptible to the effects of the drug.

Making teenagers want to keep experimenting and quickly become 6 times more likely to develop a substance use disorder than those who are exposed to drugs during adulthood.

We all have certain risk factors that can lead to addiction; some are more prone than others. Most often risk factors are environmental, if someone is exposed to drugs early on they are more likely to develop an addiction.

So who does this affect?

Working-class individuals who may have been raised by a single parent, already have troubles with the law and social services and lack inherent security. For people in the working class, they lack financial resources and sometimes emotional support from family. They are more likely to face dangerous risks. People of the working class will also experience a lot more mental health issues as their living conditions are considerably more difficult to cope with.

The ethnic diverse minority communities too who are rejected by family for their drug use, may have been raised to not talk about their mental health, these people will suffer considerably more if affected by drug abuse.

Individuals shared that when they went to seek mental health support, like NHS counselling, doctors were unable to provide this service until the person had become sober. Mental health issues and drug/alcohol abuse work in a perpetual cycle. A solution is seemingly unclear.

In Thursday’s conversation, there were divided opinions on whether the community is supportive enough.

Addiction can feel shameful and take a hold of us, lower our inhibitions and put us in survival mode. As a community, I believe that all we can do is remind ourselves and the person/s affected by addiction that recovery is possible and be conscious of the struggles leading to their choices.

BEING A PARTNER OF SOMEONE WITH ADHD AND AUTISM- By

Being with Jess has taught me so much about communicating needs and boundaries. I have learned that it’s best to treat everybody with awareness of sensitivity. I had not really considered how I could have been pushing someone to try new things when they don’t want to. Or presuming they aren’t as communicative as usual because they are annoyed with me, when really the task of getting the words out is causing them so much mental distress.

Chloe: How would you describe your sensory overload?

Jess: “I feel it more in my head like all around my brain, chest, and in my throat. Mine can be very auditory focussed but it entails everything so I feel very sensitive and vulnerable, overwhelmed completely until I can lessen sensory input and until I calm down (fingers in my ears, getting away from people and activity, closing my eyes and not talking). So, it really encompasses everything which is not accessible everywhere. “

“Finding a space away from people is usually the best thing but at work and social functions it is hard because when overloading, I can hardly explain what’s happening because being non-verbal is another help when overwhelmed, which leads to misunderstandings from others. That alone is a big pressure to have on top of everything else.”

Me and Jess have created ways in which we can let each other know it’s a non-verbal kind of day without words, and this level of communication is just as valuable as verbal, reading body language mainly. I think there is a particular pressure to be able to tell people with words what is okay and what’s not, however, this isn’t as useful for every individual, every day. Like Jess mentioned she will plug her ears, remove herself from situations, close her eyes. I will notice her hoods up and body language is closed, and naturally I adapt my response to this to give her space or ask her if she needs affection at this time.

Where I notice Jess’ autism and ADHD combat each other is how she has such a variety of hobbies but struggles to hyperfocus on one. She can jump

Chloe Jones

from instrument to instrument in moments and although this is different to how Lucy or Jasmin enters creative flow, Jess is also in a state of flow, experimenting with different frequencies and tunes. She is so eager and brave with foods and flavours when her mood is high. However, in times of low mood, she sticks to safe foods and having awareness of this has made it more comfortable for us both and I never pressure her to taste things she doesn’t want to, which I can apply to all aspects of our relationship.

The ways in which it could be considered a struggle, but I would never change for anything, is adapting to the fluctuating energy levels. They really do change so flippantly and suddenly and although Jess is so in tune with her cycles, they very rarely match mine. So, I have to adapt my behaviour and respond to her needs quite sensitively. However, this skill has been beneficial when making new friends and also understanding my own boundaries and noticing if I have a regular cycle of highs and lows. Plus, having this skill means I never take her quiet days personally. There is a mutual level of understanding, it’s just time for some quietness.

To conclude, from interviewing these girls who have so confidently worked their way through life without medical or educational recognition for their struggles, more awareness of the symptoms present in girls throughout education would be beneficial when completing academic tasks.

But in adulthood, there is no real answer to living day-to-day life as a girl with ADHD, finding a creative outlet seems to be where many of these girls have channelled the energy. But the benefits of society adjusting the system to fit these needs are endless. I could not name a single person who would happily sit for a long period of time doing something they are uninterested in. So why must we do it in school? Or where we continuously shaming someone and ourselves for being forgetful or disorganised, this has never been a productive way to develop ourselves.

Read more https://tinyurl.com/ykf5jrva

My Passion for Poetry writing goes way back from University. I didn’t tap into it until when I went back to Nigeria in 2013-2014 for my National Youth Service Corpers for foreign graduates to serve the motherland. During this period, I was just doing it as a hobby. I enjoyed reading novels that a family member had advised me to go back to previously in 2008/2009 which I didn’t realise the benefit of at first until later on in life down the line.

It wasn’t until I came back to the United Kingdom in 2015 that I met Mr Nkwo and discovered my other career passion for Community Development and Engagement. He introduced me to Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality, a community volunteer organisation. I acquired skills, knowledge and was also able to showcase my passion for writing.

I used poetry to promote and tackle issues that affect ethnic minority communities. Volunteering with ACRE has been a rewarding experience, connecting and engaging with communities and making an impact in their lives with my writing.

However as time went on, I discovered my writing came about based on feeling inspiration and experiences or anything that might connect with my soul. It could be political, social, economic and so forth. I am still learning more about writing, from famous poetry writers who have taught me a great deal about writing what I am feeling and connecting, including letting it flow naturally without overthinking too much.

Recently a fellow poetry writer from Sierra Leone, (under a friend’s project called Girls Rights Initiative Network) impacted me a great deal with knowledge. He taught me about channelling my feelings through experience in my writing rather than talking about my feelings. This should be a good lesson for writers because it challenged me in a good way to see the bigger picture and be more skilful as a writer. Examples of my poems.

The resilience of Black History Month

Black History month in the United Kingdom again: It rears its face with such uneasy energy. This causes extremely uncomfortable thunder in this dark season.

It still wails based on an inflicted and painful psychological scar.

This refuses to heal due to the neglect of its wants and needs.

Poetry Writing in Empowerment

-By Chukwuemeka Obiora

Passing through time and knocking on the doors of everyone repeatedly, tends a lone ranger in an unfair state. This propels the feeling of inadequacy which is constantly undermined.

The burden carried so heavily which displays an embedded agony shows a dark cloud continuously blocking our sunlight of its art of existence.

Regardless of the howling made due to the eternal hurt so ever endured, we still manage to find a way to remain upright in the never-ending story to prove our validation.

In addition, the long everlasting tale of its artistry continues to cause shock value greatly in an era. This emphasises the reputation of respect which refuses to be crushed.

Finally, it will always remain part of us due to the strong command of stern prestige. This is with an enduring aura that is so impossible to reject and ignore.

Light at the end of the tunnel

The United Kingdom has been wrecked under a dark spell for a while which seems not to easily break from. It seems to be held in chains of mental distortions without any hope to Be rescued at all.

Everyone in the country has witnessed the fall from grace due to the state of depression plaguing its existence. Crying very loudly and intensely in recent times, shows the pain of agony gnawing the country’s wounds. The Conservatives in power have been trying so hard to prescribe the right type of medication. This has been important to heal the country from the inflicted hurt it has endured for a long time. Globally, the United Kingdom has had to feel like a stranger due to the embedded personal insecurities masking the strong symbol it once had.

Hopefully, with the new knight in shining armour riding on the white horse, there’s some light at the end of the tunnel and the country will be redeemed. Look out for more poetry in the next magazine issue.

THE SUCCESS OF ART THERAPY

By Raveena Hargun & Chloe Jones

Raveena Hargun: Why did you start art therapy?

Chloe Jones: I started art therapy at a dark time when I was grieving so many friends who had passed due to various reasons. The grief was amplified during covid as we were told to isolate ourselves and go against human nature; keep our distance from one another. The statistics of deaths were rising and we couldn’t even come together for comfort and affection.

The only thing that got me through was being able to create and paint, dedicating some of my days to zone out of responsibilities and the gruelling reality at the time. I would just draw and it was fun to enter the flow alone, but when I thought how good it would feel to be with all my friends creating, I decided I would try to make this space happen.

Mojatu helped me arrange everything, gave me the community centre hall, money for supplies, helped me promote it online, make it covid safe, and invited the CBT therapist James. I want to take a more professional route and begin my journey of becoming an Art Therapist however this community-based work now feels so rewarding and fulfilling, I will continue to do it till I can’t.

RH: What does art therapy mean to me?

CJ: Art therapy to me is about melting away the boundaries of art, letting any insecurities or fears that prevent people from creating, disappear. Encouraging people to connect with their inner child and just create for playful reasons as opposed to producing something capitalistically ‘worthy’ at the end. Teaching people the tools to express their feelings through art. I think there are many reasons why adults grow up and lose their creative touch but the level of self-criticism we develop as we age definitely prevents us from loosely creating for the fun of it.

Self-esteem and comparing our outcomes to others. I also believe adults are too scared to behave ‘’childishly’’ however in the right setting, this is so beneficial for healing and growing. Having people choose to come and dedicate an entire hour and a half to play together and engage with their feelings and express them in means like painting, drawing, talking, writing, is so rewarding.

RH: What impact does it have on the participants?

CJ: I’ve noticed during the drawing games everybody is engaged and working together, people are laughing and although there still remains a level of self-criticism and worry about the ‘’quality’’ of their drawing, they stay engaged and continue creating which is something everyone should be proud of.

James the therapist helps us consider our daily feelings and emotions and encourages us to discuss them which personally leaves me feeling a weight lifted off my shoulders.

RH: How successful do you think art therapy has been?

CJ: Successful is such an objective term. Personally, I measure my success on how it makes me feel. So far art therapy has made me feel fulfilled. It feels like an achievement after every session when I’ve got such a variety of characters, age, race, and gender, together who state they aren’t artistic, but they are laughing and creating very abstract and expressional art.

The exercises we do are transferable, are not restricted to English speakers, and can be used again in a non-group setting. They continue to come back every week. That feeling is incomparable, I’ve begun to take it further and navigate the sessions to be slightly more therapeutic, making a feelings wheel and using colour to express each feeling. Drawing with shapes and colours that represent our childhood/happiness/safe spaces. This session made me feel proud of everyone for getting involved in the activities with even less fear about the drawing as it was more to do with their feelings, meaning there is no room for error really.

The feeling is so freeing and being in the group also helps me melt away at the art block. This is the true meaning of success for me.

RH: Have you led art therapy sessions before?

CJ: Only with Mojatu, if I go to study it at university I will continue my sessions here as well. Thank you to everyone who helped make it successful.

CAN CREATIVE BLOCK AFFECT YOUR SELFWORTH?

- By Chloe Jones

This series of articles will cover how you might be attaching your identity to external assets and how it can have a negative impact on your self-worth. My experience of internalising praise for my art that’s been perceived as ‘’good’’ and how that in turn, makes me feel I’m more worthy as a human.

Failing creatively feels risky, conquering the fear of failure is a daily process but encourages me to create art regularly. My main fear is being rejected by anyone. During childhood, I was praised so much for my creativity that it has led my self-esteem to be dependent on it. Altering my motivation for creating art has been a struggle.

No matter good or bad criticism, I must not allow it to define my worth as a human being. This could be applied to receiving praise for your looks, hard work etc. Being self-aware of how criticism makes you feel is a step in the right direction reminding yourself of your intrinsic worth, no one is better than me, and I am better than no one. No aspect of my behaviour defines my worth as a human being.

The fear of creating ‘’bad art’’ might be what’s stopping you from being able to create. Or not meeting a beauty standard might make you feel less worthy. These are aspects of your behaviour however they do not define your self-worth.

Inviting the fear in, doing the things you fear in the creative process. Instead of getting stuck on “what’s a good thing to create?” start playing with the silly and “bad” ideas instead. Entering this loose and free state will dissolve any fear of failing.

“Does my self-esteem and self-worth depend on being a good artist, or others seeing me as a good artist?”

This question can be asked with many aspects of your behaviour, like feeling the need to meet certain beauty standards, societal pressures or the way you portray your life on social media.

Personally, I feel better in myself when my skin looks youthful, my hair is voluminous and my body is at a certain weight. When these assets of myself are deemed attractive then I am “confident and happy”,

making me feel like a worthy person. I internalise any praise from people and slip into letting it determine my self-worth. So days in which I am bloated, my skin is breaking out, my outfit might not be fashionable, I feel insecure and don’t want to be perceived by anyone.

Speaking as a female presenting/identifying person, I am also conditioned to succumbing to the male gaze and have lifelong experience of being treated better by society when I am conventionally attractive. Sometimes I am so deeply conditioned to this it can be difficult to be self-aware, and differentiate between doing something for myself or for the way I’m perceived and validated (by men especially).

Self-care videos took over the internet, almost all of them installing more insecurities by providing another product or method of keeping up with a beauty standard. None of which focussed on mental-health self-care or CBT emotional self-help tools. Strictly skincare, weight loss, fast fashion, and hair products as these are all ways for the beauty industry to capitalise on our insecurities taking us further away from self-acceptance and deeper into body and self-image concerns.

Even finding ethnicities coming in and out of fashion, further fetishising races. We have been shaped and then objectified to fit social imperatives around sexiness- modifying our bodies whilst continuously being oppressed and mistreated if you do or don’t get perceived as sexy.

It is so difficult to detach yourself from all of this when there is arguably a beauty bias- being deemed attractive, giving you an upper hand in the world and afforded more opportunities.

So how do you learn to detach your self-worth and identity from the way your looks are perceived?

Following the same questions and self-analysis from internalising praise for the things we are “good” at.

I will continue to write on this topic in the next issue, covering Pinocticum Theory and the problems the beauty industry causes regarding our self-image.

DIWALI AND BANDI CHOR DIVAS

Diwali is a significant religious festival observed mostly by Hindus but Sikhs and Jains as well. While the beliefs may differ, the enthusiasm, vivaciousness, and joy as a result of it unite them. ‘Diwali’ or ‘Deepawali’ which means ‘row of lights’. Diwali is also known as the festival of light, celebrated by Sikhism and Hinduism. It is normally the end of October or the beginning of November.

Diwali festival of light celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and the human ability to overcome. Diwali has become a national Indian festival. ‘Bandi Chhor Divas’ means ‘Prisoner Release Day’.

History of Diwali

For Sikhs, Diwali is particularly important because it celebrates the release from prison of the sixth Guru, Guru Har Gobind, and 52 other princes with him, in 1619 AD.

The Sikh tradition holds that the Emperor Jahangir had imprisoned Guru Har Gobind and 52 princes. The Emperor was asked to release Guru Har Gobind

By Raveena Hargun

which he agreed to do. However, Guru Har Gobind asked that the princes be released also. The Emperor agreed but said only those who could hold onto his cloak tail would be allowed to leave the prison. This was in order to limit the number of prisoners who could leave.

However, Guru Har Gobind had a cloak made with 52 pieces of string and so each prince was able to hold onto one string and leave prison. Sikhs celebrated the return of Guru Har Gobind by lighting the golden temple (Amritsar) until this day the tradition still continues.

In my family, we light candles around the house and then go to the Temple (Gurdwara) in our traditional clothes. We have to hold special prayers from 4 pm to 8 pm. We can light the candle downstairs in the temple. Someone will have lagar (Food) or someone will have made traditional food at home and family and friends come over do some fireworks that is what I do, and most people do too.

CELEBRATING RUPAUL: A role model & pioneer

By Tristan Best

RuPaul Andre Charles, born in San Diego November 17, 1960, is a well-known actor, television personality, musician and model, and is best known for being an American Drag Queen and for hosting and judging the internationally successful show RuPaul’s Drag Race.

A list of his overall accomplishments and awards leads on from twelve Primetime Emmy Awards, three GLAAD media awards, two Billboard music awards, a Tony award and finally a Critics Choice Television award. Of course, he has also been established as The Queen of Drag itself.

Also known as RuPaul,or Ruru, he was born in the state of San Diego and moved to Atlanta, Georgia, at the young age of 15 to pursue studies in the performing

arts sector. It was during this time when Ru started playing in punk rock bands displaying his passion for music, which eventually gave him his path to exposure in the public eye. His first initial hit album was called Sex Freak, which would incidentally spark his first performance in drag.

In 1987, RuPaul left for New York City and was inevitably dubbed the Queen of NYC much later on. With the Big Apple in his grasp, he took note and managed to find his way into the LGBTQ+ nightlife scene, meeting a wide variety of diverse people on the way.

Although still not quite at his peak, he was given the opportunity to dance in B52’S massive track Love Shack, giving him more exposure. By 1990, he was already named the Queen

of Manhattan by the local community, he used this fusion of positivity to move forward again and find a role in up and coming shows such as Manhattan Cable. Following this, he released the hit single (Supermodel) You Better Work, which went on to sell over 500,000 records. With other tracks hitting dance chart number ones such as Back to My Roots, this also helped gain appearances in films such as Crooklyn, The Brady Bunch Movie, To Wong Foo and Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar.

On top of this, Ru has done various charitable work including, raising awareness and funds for people living with or at risk of HIV and AIDS. Musician, writer, actor, model, activist… the list simply doesn’t end. A role model and pioneer for the LGBTQ+ community.

SENEGAL ON SCREEN: Two films by Ousmane Sembène

By Jamie Morris

We take a look at the early works of the ‘father of African cinema’...

Senegal is home to what is considered the first authentic SubSaharan African feature film to receive international recognition: 1966’s Black Girl, directed by Ousmane Sembène. As such, Sembène has since become revered as the ‘father of African cinema’, and although much of his work remains difficult to access in the English-speaking world, his earliest two features are considered classics worldwide.

Before his career in film, Sembène was an established novelist whose social realist writing was critical of colonialism and the introduction of capitalism to Africa, and these ideas would find their way into his first feature film.

Black Girl’s title refers to Diouana, a woman who moves from Senegal’s capital, Dakar, to Paris after being hired to work as a maid by a wealthy white couple. She is promised a joyous new life caring for their children during the day, and exploring the big city at night – but these dreams don’t match up with the harsh reality she experiences.

The children Diouana was expecting to care for are largely absent, and she is instead made to do unrewarding menial tasks and is treated more like an animal than a human being. Furthermore, she is never given the opportunity to leave the house, thus reducing her experience of Paris to the same four walls, rather than the vast metropolis she expected it to be.

Over the course of the hour-long film, we see Diouana’s mental state deteriorate through a subtle yet heartbreaking performance

by M’Bissine

Thérèse Diop. As she can’t speak French, her thoughts are conveyed to the audience by way of a voiceover, emphasising her isolation. We also see flashbacks of her time in Dakar and how excited she once was to live a better life in France.

Its themes transcend their immediate context of 1960s France, as today, migrants hoping for a better life are still expected to be grateful for the bare minimum –which is why this deeply tragic film remains an enduringly potent and vital watch over half a century later.

Sembène’s subsequent film, Mandabi (‘The Money Order’) is lighter in tone, but still deals with themes of false hope and the strain of capitalism. Taking place in the slums of Dakar, it revolves around an unemployed man named Ibrahima who receives a money order for 25,000 Francs from his nephew in Paris. Ibrahima is told he can keep 2,000 Francs for himself if he saves the rest for his nephew and his mother (Ibrahima’s sister), but soon discovers that receiving even a single cent will be a challenge.

Before Ibrahima can cash in the money order, he needs proof of his identity – and in order to verify that, he needs his birth certificate and photos of himself. Getting his hands on this documentation proves easier said than done, and the struggling father ends up having to spend money he doesn’t yet have, all the while attempting to appease lenders and avoid scammers.

Sembène depicts Ibrahima’s plight with astute realism, placing emphasis on his routines via long takes of him eating, washing, praying and walking, while star Makhourédia Guèye effectively

conveys the toll that even daily motions such as these can take on an ageing man.

However, while we can sympathise with Imbrahima, no character in this film is entirely virtuous, as he is shown being frequently disrespectful towards his two wives, Mety and Aram, who work hard every day to ensure his wellbeing – giving the film a feminist angle that to an extent aligns it with Diouana’s story in Black Girl. Even these two women have their shortcomings, in fact, as Aram puts their family into greater debt by purchasing a bra she can’t afford, and she and Mety later spread a lie that the money order was stolen from Ibrahima.

“In this country, only the crooks live well,” says one of the scammers in the film – an apt summary of Mandabi’s themes that’s applicable not only to life in Senegal, but perhaps most capitalist nations. Both of these films are at once distinctly African and universally resonant. The level of detail with which Sembène depicts his characters and their surroundings serves as a lasting record of what life was like for Senegalese people in the 1960s, while the morals behind his stories are strong enough to speak to people regardless of when and where they’re watching them. But with only two of his nine feature films widely accessible in the UK, we can only hope more of Sembène’s work will be available to watch in the future.

OVERDOSING

By Raveena Hargun

From January to the end of February 2021, I started overdosing myself, taking 6 to 8 tablets each day till a very close friend realised that I was overdosing because I was sad that I had lost them. It required my best friend to send others messages to let them know I was abusing drugs.

I wrote a lengthy email outlining all that had transpired to him. He sent me a message as soon as he heard what was going on, I informed him of everything and he warned me not to do it again, which I did. After the drugs were taken away from me, I kept phoning and messaging friends to let them know how I was feeling.

I was just going to work and talking to my best friend. I was ringing him to ask him to take the pills away from me. I remember him asking me why I kept taking the pills, asking if it was doctors or my parents who told me to take them. I said, “No, he didn’t,” but I always listened to him since I have so much respect for him. I did as he said and threw the items away.

September was the happiest day of my life, I saw him with all of my friends, I was very happy, my friends kept saying I looked so happy. Even though I did see him, life fell apart from October to December because I began to overdose as I lost contact again. I don’t know why it happened but I care about him so much, I even felt suicidal and, kept posting the tablets on and off on my Snapchat story which worried some people, particularly my family, and friends.

I just wanted him back in my life and to speak to him so I kept asking my friends to help me to bring him back but they wouldn’t, I was crying and told them I wanted to leave. They did their best, calmed me down and took me out for a drive in their car.

My friends saw me taking six pills from the bottle,

and they took a photo of it. They promised to take the pills away from me but refrained because they felt bad doing so. However, I told them that if they did take the tablets from me, it would be to my own benefit. I shared the pill bottle on my Snapchat story, and the following day, I shared a video of the eight pills in my hand. I received messages from family and friends asking about my well-being.

A week later I posted another picture of the eight tablets in my story, my cousins and family friend asked about it, and checked if I was okay. A family friend asked someone for my auntie’s number and phoned her worried about me.

On the 15th of December my auntie called, she said had a call from a family friend asking if I was okay, My aunt asked me what those tablets were for. I told her I was overdosing myself. She wanted to tell my mum, I said I will tell her by myself. Then rang a few of my best friends crying over the phone and I told them my aunt knows everything. My friends picked me up since I was upset and we all went for a drive while chatting about everything.

I was worried about how I would tell my mother, when I got home I told her I overdosed myself.

She was very supportive, hugged me and asked if I had any pills. I told her I did not have any and I had not been taking any for four months. I have not taken any since 15th December 2021 to date. Thank you to my friends, and family for supporting and helping me.

Support and help: Call 111 Emergency 999

www.talkingtherapies.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk

CRYING AND MENTAL HEALTH - By

A phenomenon unique to humans, crying is a natural response to a range of emotions, from sadness, and grief to happiness.

Through my experience, crying helps my mental health because it feels worse to keep sadness in. For me, sometimes I can hide the sadness but I’ll cry on my worst days. On a good day, it’s all about crying with laughter. You should not be judged for crying. If you can’t speak to your family, try speaking to work colleagues or people close to you. I find it difficult to control my tears especially when I have bad anxiety. Sometimes I have a good cry by myself in private. Unfortunately, I can’t always control it and I want my best friend there, otherwise, I’ll get upset and start to have panic attacks.

Humans produce three types of tears. Basal; the tear

Raveena Hargun

ducts constantly secrete basal tears, which are a protein-rich antibacterial liquid that help to keep the eye moist every time a person blinks. Reflex crying is tears triggered by irritants. They are released to flush out these irritants and protect the eyes. The most common one is Emotional tears, humans shed tears in response to a range of emotions. These tears contain a higher level of stress hormones than other types of tears.

The benefits of crying: a soothing effect, calming and reducing distress. Crying with others also provides support. Crying relieves pain. Enhances the mood as well as releases oxytocin and endorphins to help improve mood. By releasing the pain it can aid sleep. In addition to this crying helps to kill bacteria and keep the eyes clean as the tears contain a fluid called lysozyme. See your doctor if you have been crying too often.

SILENT HEART ATTACK IN WOMEN - By

What is a silent heart attack? A silent heart attack, also called a silent Ischemia is a heart attack that has either no symptoms, minimal symptoms or unrecognized symptoms. A heart attack is not always as obvious as pain in your chest, shortness of breath and cold sweats. A silent heart attack happens when the flow of blood is blocked in the coronary arteries by a build-up of plaque. Silent heart attacks are more common in women than men.

Here are the four signs of a silent heart attack:

1. Chest pains, pressure, fullness or discomfort. Most heart attacks involve mild pain or discomfort in the centre of your chest. You might feel pressure squeezing or fullness in your chest. These symptoms usually start slowly, and they may go away and come back.

2. A heart attack doesn’t affect your heart it can affect the rest of your body but this can make identifying a heart attack confusing. You can get discomfort in your arms (one or both of them), back, neck, jaw and stomach.

3. Cold sweats, waking up with cold sweats and nausea can be pointed towards the flu symptoms, this can also be a symptom of a silent heart attack. You know your body better than anyone but if it feels more than flu symptoms you should get yourself checked immediately.

4. Dizziness and breathing difficulty- if you are having trouble breathing and getting tired of mundane

Raveena Hargun

activities, that you do very easily. If you get shortness of breath you could also feel dizzy and faint.

What is the cause of the silent heart attack? Heart attacks are due to atherosclerotic heart disease. This condition develops when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries. In some cases, a portion of plaque can break free and form a blood clot. If the clot grows, it can cause a blockage that prevents blood from the heart. A severe spasm tightening of a coronary artery can lead to a silent heart attack. If you do notice symptoms of a silent heart attack, try to stay calm and call 911 immediately

Symptoms of a heart attack in women

QUICK AND HEALTHY VEGETARIAN SNACKS

By Rachael Link, MS, R

Selecting nutritious snacks to enjoy throughout the day is a key component of any healthy diet — including vegetarian diets. Unfortunately, many quick and convenient snack foods offer little in terms of nutrition apart from extra calories, sodium, and added sugar. Still, finding vegetarian snack options that are easy, portable, and nutritious doesn’t have to be a challenge. Here are 10 quick and healthy vegetarian snack ideas.

1. Nut butter with fruit. Pairing your favourite fruit with nut butter makes for an easy, filling, and quick plant-based snack you can enjoy anywhere. Fruits like apples, bananas, and strawberries are loaded with antioxidants and high in fibre that helps keep you feeling full between your main meals while delivering a hearty dose of satisfying protein and healthy fats.

2. Cheese sticks: portable and convenient snack perfect to curb cravings on the go. Cheese sticks are a good supply of protein, which is the most filling macronutrient, making cheese an excellent choice for a satisfying vegetarian snack. It is also a good source of calcium, a key mineral for strong bones and teeth.

3. Bell peppers with hummus: a healthy, plant-based alternative to traditional chips and dip as they provide the same satisfying crunch as chips or crackers but are also lower in calories and contain more fibre, vitamin C, and vitamin A. Dipping them in hummus can help boost your intake of protein and fibre while keeping your calorie intake low.

4. Roasted chickpeas: loaded with protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals like manganese and folate. Roasted chickpeas are easy to make at home!

5. Popcorn: a nutritious, low-calorie snack that is a great source of minerals: phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc. It’s also high in manganese — a mineral involved in digestion, immune function, energy production, and brain health. Be sure to select air-popped popcorn rather than pre-packaged or microwave varieties, usually packed with extra calories, fat, and sodium.

6. Nuts: Nuts, like almonds, walnuts, cashews, and pistachios — provide a wealth of important nutrients, including heart-healthy fats, fibre, protein, magnesium, iron, and calcium. In addition to being incredibly nutrient-dense, research shows that adding nuts to your diet may reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain types of cancer like colorectal cancer.

Remember, nuts are high in calories, so enjoy them in moderation and stick to about 1 ounce (28 grams) at a time as part of a healthy diet.

7. Yoghurt with fruit: Rich in protein, calcium, vitamin B12, and potassium, yoghurt is an excellent vegetarian snack. Combining yoghurt with apples, berries, bananas, grapes, or fruit can also help increase fibre, vitamin C, and disease-fighting antioxidants. Look for plain, unsweetened varieties to minimise your intake of added sugars and use a little cinnamon, honey, or maple syrup to naturally enhance the flavour.

8. Kale chips: an easy and delicious way to squeeze a serving of leafy greens into your daily diet. It’s a source of vitamins C and A, important nutrients for immune function and disease prevention.

9. Cottage cheese: Made from the curds of cow’s milk, cottage cheese is a high-protein dairy product rich in phosphorus, selenium, and vitamin B12. It’s also a great source of calcium, an essential nutrient that plays a central role in bone formation, muscle function, and hormone secretion. Cottage cheese has a mild flavour that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with fruits.

10. Green smoothies: A quick and convenient way to fit a few extra servings of veggies into your diet while ramping up your intake of fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These are made with leafy greens like kale or spinach, fruits, veggies, and ingredients can be added as well.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Including a variety of healthy snacks in your diet can help keep you going between meals while squeezing in a few extra nutrients. Fortunately, there are plenty of vegetarian snacks to choose from — all of which are nutritious, easy to prepare, and delicious. To get started, simply pick a few of your favourites and enjoy them as part of a healthy, wellrounded vegetarian diet.

HEALTHY WEIGHT MANAGEMENT - By Chloe

This week’s grassroots community conversations focused on Healthy weight management, and whether services seem accessible to the community. Guest speakers from Readings Borough Council, public health sector wanted to raise awareness about public health and wellbeing, plus engage the community in a survey to collect information on what the community would benefit from in terms of support for weight management services.

Extra weight puts extra pressure on your body and can make it harder to fight diseases like cancer and heart disease. Losing weight can help reduce risk. We followed with some questions to the participants.

Does your current weight affect your health?

One participant shared their experience struggling with their weight and how it was affecting their health. The doctors told her to lose weight and gave her information to sign up for the Better Health 12Week Challenge. She mentioned that any gym will allow you to do free weekly classes, swimming, yoga, and boxing. Expressing that it was all about choosing

Jones

a sport you enjoy doing and being with a group of friends so they could encourage each other.

It seemed as though after their 12-week health plan journey, they’ve cultivated more energy and positive mental health. Participant 2 expressed that dieting and detoxing works, although it still leads to weight fluctuation.

Overall, more information on accessible exercise groups, support groups and access to information on mental health surrounding weight would be beneficial.

At Oxford Road Community Hub* we offer ways to stay healthy join us:

• Seated exercise, every Wednesday, online 1 am - 12 pm

• An electronic self use Health Kiosk: measures, BMI, Body Fat, Blood Pressure and Heart Health

• Free mini health checks every last Tuesday of the month

Come to the Oxford Road wellbeing Hub to access more information - 344 Oxford Road, Reading RG30 1AF

29 Health & Food Derby connected

Derby connected

THE CLIMATE & US: E-SCOOTERS & E-BIKES

THE CLIMATE & US: E-SCOOTERS & E-BIKES

THE CLIMATE & US: E-SCOOTERS & E-BIKES

By Tristan Best

By Tristan Best

this edition of our climate change column, we take a look at the green transport revolution… recently purchased an electric scooter, and I’m glad to announce that in under three months, I’ve managed save 64.5 kilograms of carbon from going into the atmosphere, while travelling 400 miles to and from work. the same time, I’ve managed to save more money, now don’t have to pay as often for public transport only when journeys are of a much greater length. personally advise you to invest in an e-scooter, especially if you are young, saving for a car and need access to transport for work. This will boost your stature in the long haul. I do suggest heavily that you also invest in a helmet – as health is wealth in its greatest form.

There are great communities of people who have joined together with the mutual aim of improving and developing the world positively. They’ve spread far and wide, nudging closer to your neighbourhood day by day.

Derby recently had a programme to hire e-bikes for use around the city – but where did they all go?

In this edition of our climate change column, we take a look at the green transport revolution…

I recently purchased an electric scooter, and I’m glad to announce that in under three months, I’ve managed to save 64.5 kilograms of carbon from going into the atmosphere, while travelling 400 miles to and from work. At the same time, I’ve managed to save more money, as I now don’t have to pay as often for public transport – only when journeys are of a much greater length. I’d personally advise you to invest in an e-scooter, especially if you are young, saving for a car and need access to transport for work. This will boost your stature in the long haul. I do suggest heavily that you also invest in a helmet – as health is wealth in its greatest form.

By Tristan Best

Unfortunately, the entire operation ended up being scrapped due to the large scale of vandalism to the bikes. 67% were damaged in some way, which left most of the fleet out of action and unfortunately which also set Derby Council back greatly, in terms of time and money. This example shows poor awareness from the people of Derby. That said, the recent uptake in e-scooters may show a renewed interest in green transport.

Derby recently had a programme to hire e-bikes for use around the city – but where did they all go? Unfortunately, the entire operation ended up being scrapped due to the large scale of vandalism to the bikes. 67% were damaged in some way, which left most of the fleet out of action and unfortunately which also set Derby Council back greatly, in terms of time and money. This example shows poor awareness from the people of Derby. That said, the recent uptake in e-scooters may show a renewed interest in green transport.

Every small step we take towards being carbon neutral is bigger than it seems. If each individual takes or makes the sacrifices necessary, we may genuinely enable the chance of saving this beautiful, unique planet we call home. If we do not on the other hand, we will learn the hardest way, as the human race usually does.

Let’s stay positive by doing what we can to contribute less towards climate change and enjoy our lives more. Let’s be clean and green, treating the world like it’s our garden – because it is.

There are great communities of people who have joined together with the mutual aim of improving and developing the world positively. They’ve spread far and wide, nudging closer to your neighbourhood day by day.

Every small step we take towards being carbon neutral is bigger than it seems. If each individual takes or makes the sacrifices necessary, we may genuinely enable the chance of saving this beautiful, unique planet we call home. If we do not on the other hand, we will learn the hardest way, as the human race usually does.

Let’s stay positive by doing what we can to contribute less towards climate change and enjoy our lives more. Let’s be clean and green, treating the world like it’s our garden – because it is.

THE SEASONS OF YOUR MENSTRUAL CYCLE - By Chloe Jones

After hundreds of periods, I have only just tuned into my cycle, noticing that my mind and body drastically change throughout the month. Sometimes as early as 2 weeks before starting to bleed, the world appears dull, I’m consumed by insecurities, experience body image issues, my skin doesn’t appear the same and I feel generally anxious and foggy. Responsibilities feel impossible and exercise leaves me feeling defeated. I’ve spoken with other girls who have noticed the same dullness during this stage of their cycle, learning I was not alone was reassuring, there is an explanation to this unfair madness! Tuning in with your cycle can advise you on which food is appropriate, how much socialising you should be doing in the low stages and how much exercise is okay when your body wants to be in hibernation mode.

By paying attention to the slight or not-so-slight changes in energy and moods will allow you to tune into your body’s requests. Understanding your menstrual cycle better means understanding yourself better. To begin understanding your cycle, it’s enlightening to keep a dated journal that will help you differentiate the stages.

To make things easier, you can map out your menstrual cycle like the seasons of the year. Winter (menstruation) Spring (follicular stage) Summer (ovulatory phase) Autumn (luteal phase) However before delving into metaphorical seasons, it’s important to remember every woman’s cycle is unique. (Hence why introspection and journaling are essential) You may experience a longer cycle than other women, or spend longer in certain “seasons” than others. Winter: Winter marks

the start of your menstruation. Today is the start of your bleed. Jot down in your journal the date and what you are experiencing. Progesterone and Oestrogen, the reproductive hormones are at their lowest. Fatigue and general ‘’meh’’ feelings. Your body wants to enter hibernation, only participate in gentle exercise, keep your social calendar free and preserve your energy levels.

Food: Menstruation is an energyintense process and your body will be in need of protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, dark leafy greens, vitamin C, peppers, broccoli, mango, pineapple, and strawberries. Iron intake is important as you lose lots through the bleed.

Magnesium and B vitamins support some physical and emotional changes. Dark chocolate, avocados, nuts, tofu and whole grains are all sources of magnesium. Avoid caffeine, too much sugar and alcohol, this can increase PMS symptoms.

Spring: During this season, oestrogen rises in the lead-up to ovulation. You may notice the world looks brighter, feeling a rise in energy and hope. Now is a good time to catch up with friends, brainstorm, plan creative ideas and participate in light exercise. Foods that help metabolise oestrogen include beans, eggs and fermented food such as kimchi.

Summer: Oestrogen peaks! Looking and feeling your best. Glowing skin, high libido, abounding confidence. Monopolise on this energy and increased motivation. Schedule intense exercise during this season. Go to social events and plan romantic dates. However, excess oestrogen can lead to uncomfortable pms symptoms;

cramps, tender boobs and acne breakouts. Foods with fibre that remove excess oestrogen include fruits, veggies, fresh herbs, legumes, pulses, nuts and seeds.

Autumn: Oestrogen drops and Progesterone rises. PMS symptoms kick in, anxiety, crying, mood swings, appetite changes, dull skin, symptoms of depression, sometimes body image concerns. Be kind to yourself, take breaks when you can, inform those around you that you might be introverted in the coming days. Self-love will build resilience to negative thought patterns. Sources of chromium contribute to the maintenance of blood sugar levels; chromium can be found in brazil nuts, shellfish and broccoli. Sleep may become erratic, disturbances and mild anxiety. Magnesium helps mood and sleep, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds and quinoa.

Listening to your body’s needs may improve your mental wellbeing and soothe negative symptoms. Noticing patterned bodily changes could give you a chance to lessen the negative impact they have on your life. It is not always hormonal and seeking therapy may be necessary. But leaning into your body’s requests is one way of strengthening emotional intelligence and using our self-help tools to get by!

RECLAIM THE NIGHT MARCH - By

A women’s march and rally, arranged by Reading’s Labour Party, took place at 6:30 pm in Reading town centre on Friday evening, December 3 to create awareness of ending violence against women.

Eva Karanja

We as Utulivu Women’s Group continue to work tirelessly in raising awareness in our communities on gender-based violence. Taking action to UNITE with (including with men and young people) to end GBV in our generation.

A statement from Utulivu Women’s Group by Eva ‘No woman or girl deserves to experience violence. It is a Human Rights violation and a real Public Health concern with devastating implications.

In the words of António Guterres secretary general of the United Nations, “Violence against women and girls may be the world’s longest, deadliest pandemic”.

Sadly, 1 in 3 women globally will experience violence in their lifetime. Less than 40% of women and girls experiencing gender-based violence seek help whilst most harm goes unreported. In 2021, women aged 2024 were married off before they were aged 18.

These alarming statistics call for the need for more awareness campaigns, educate communities about the prevalence of abuse, encourage people to take action to promote social change and empower survivors with the options and resources that are available to them.

The theme this year is “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls” and invites everyone to play their role in ending violence against women and girls, show support and solidarity to women’s rights activists, and to resist the rollback on women’s rights.

Together we can change this narrative.

This year we have trained over 25 Community genderbased violence Ambassadors to amplify the voice of the survivors, protect, raise more awareness and try to end all forms of violence against women and girls in our communities.

Together we have marched to reclaim this night tonight – let’s work together to reclaim every night, every day, every community and every home for all women. Women and girls deserve to live without violence in ‘safety, dignity, and freedom!