Survey aims to help reduce violence against women

The Sikh Women's Aid group is trying to get a true reflection of the issue within the community

A survey aims to help reduce violence against girls and women especially in the Sikh community.

The Sikh Women's Aid in Wolverhampton is running the survey with women being encouraged to share their experiences.

"There is still much work to be done to reduce violence against girls and women, and that's why it is really important that people take a few minutes to complete the Sikh Women's Aid 2024 survey," city councillor Jasbir Jaspal said.

The city's Art Gallery recently hosted a day of remembrance and reflection organised by Sikh Women's Aid to honour Sikh Panjabi women and girls who lost their lives to domestic abuse and honour-based violence.

It was held on 17 July, the birthday of Surjit Kaur Athwal, a British Indian woman originally from Coventry who was killed in a honour killing in India in 1998.

Surjit’s mother-in-law and husband were found guilty of arranging her murder.

"Attending the event was very emotional and sad, seeing the photos of young girls and women spanning many decades whose lives had unnecessarily been cut short in the main by men," Ms Jaspal said.

"The devastation that would have had on their families, especially young children losing a mother in their most formative years, is indescribable."