Polly Harrar is a British women's rights activist who assists women who have been the victims of forced marriage and honour crimes. She is the founder of the Sharan Project, a member of the Forced Marriage Unit Partnership Board, and a partner of Comic Relief's Our Girl campaign.
Polly Harrar | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Women's rights activist |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Known for | Sharan Project |
As a young woman, Harrar left home after having experienced 'cultural conflict' with her family.[1] In 2008, she began supporting women from South Asian communities in the UK and has become an expert on forced marriages and honour based violence.[2] She is regularly quoted in articles about honour based violence affecting the UK's South Asian communities.[3][4][5]
In 2013 she was nominated for the Asian Women of Achievement Award.[6] In 2015 she received the Community Spirit award in the GG2 Leadership Awards.[7] In 2016, she was awarded the Points of Light award by UK Prime Minister David Cameron on International Women's Day for her work.[8]
References edit
- ^ "The NS Interview: Polly Harrar, founder of Sharan Project". www.newstatesman.com. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ "About - Our Girl Campaign". Our Girl Campaign. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ Hashmat, Shaheen (11 June 2015). "'I escaped the threat of forced marriage by my family'". ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ "Beaten and raped: the dowry violence that shames Britain". The Independent. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ Mezzofiore, Gianluca (19 March 2012). "Morocco's Amina Filali's Death Sparks Debate on Forced Marriage in UK". International Business Times UK. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ "Asian Women of Achievement: the full shortlist". The Independent. 24 March 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ May, Luke. "Bromley woman picks up top community award". Bromley Times. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ May, Luke. "'They're survivors, not victims' - Bromley woman receives award from PM for work with vulnerable women". Bromley Times. Retrieved 23 May 2018.