A CAMPAIGN to combat forced marriages is being rolled out in Croydon.
The Mujboor campaign - which comes from the Urdu word meaning forced - is being run by the JAN Trust to highlight the issue amongst minority communities.
Statistics from the FCO Forced Marriage Unit show that most victims of forced marriage come from an ethnic minority community, with the majority of victims from a South Asian background.
Since Croydon has the 4th highest black population, 7th highest Pakistani population, and 11th highest Asian population of all London boroughs, it will be the first borough target by the campaign.
Sajda Mughal, Director at JAN Trust, said: "We want to raise awareness on this inhumane act and educate women and girls about their rights.
"At the same time we want mothers to be able to support their daughters by giving them correct information which clearly states that a forced marriage is not an act permitted by Islam.
"Changing behaviours and attitudes that lead to the abuse must be done at a local level."
The campaign was launched in Slough and is focused around seminars and community workshops to help adults understand and recognise the problems of forced marriage and show youngsters the support which is available.
For information visit www.jantrust.org
The Mujboor campaign - which comes from the Urdu word meaning forced - is being run by the JAN Trust to highlight the issue amongst minority communities.
Statistics from the FCO Forced Marriage Unit show that most victims of forced marriage come from an ethnic minority community, with the majority of victims from a South Asian background.
Since Croydon has the 4th highest black population, 7th highest Pakistani population, and 11th highest Asian population of all London boroughs, it will be the first borough target by the campaign.
Sajda Mughal, Director at JAN Trust, said: "We want to raise awareness on this inhumane act and educate women and girls about their rights.
"At the same time we want mothers to be able to support their daughters by giving them correct information which clearly states that a forced marriage is not an act permitted by Islam.
"Changing behaviours and attitudes that lead to the abuse must be done at a local level."
The campaign was launched in Slough and is focused around seminars and community workshops to help adults understand and recognise the problems of forced marriage and show youngsters the support which is available.
For information visit www.jantrust.org
