EVENT DETAILS

Where: Online 

When: Wednesday, 10 December 2025

Time: 2pm-4pm (GMT)

ABOUT THE EVENT

The event will see Savera UK, Savera UK Survivor Ambassador, Khatra Paterson, and the Forced Marriage Unit deliver sessions for professionals in the voluntary and statutory sector, working across health and social care, education and domestic abuse services. 

The event will highlight the risk and indicators of ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices, including forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM), and how to further improve response to these issues, with opportunities to ask questions to specialists and survivors.

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

Afrah Qassim, Founder and CEO of Savera UK 

Savera UK is a leading national charity working to end 'honour'-based abuse and harmful practices, including female genital mutilation, forced marriage, virginity testing and breast ironing. Afrah is also the Chair of Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF) and winner of the Woman of Courage Award by Merseyside Women of the Year Awards 2022.       

Forced Marriage Unit

The Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) is a joint Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Home Office unit which leads on the government’s forced marriage policy, outreach and casework. It operates both inside the UK (where support is provided to any individual) and overseas (where consular assistance is provided to British nationals, including dual nationals).

Khatra Paterson, Savera UK Survivor Ambassador

Khatra Paterson is a Somalian-born, female business owner and mother of two, with a passion for ensuring women’s health and wellbeing. As an FGM survivor and Savera UK Survivor Ambassador, Khatra is keen to raise awareness about how women can promote and maintain their health and wellbeing irrespective of their experiences. Having spent 32 years as a nurse, midwife and health visitor, Khatra’s caring and compassionate side has been well proven. Khatra has overcome trauma to build a thriving and inclusive £2 million business, and she remains resolved to make a real difference in people's lives by supporting survivors of FGM. 

Ayesha Alam, Training and Development Manager at Savera UK

Ayesha is Savera UK's Training and Development Manager. Her background spans forensic psychology, the criminal justice system, health services and the voluntary sector. Ayesha delivers culturally competent, trauma-informed training to professionals working with those affected by HBA and harmful practices. As a published HBA researcher, she blends academic insight with survivor perspectives and practitioner expertise.