Universal Truth CIC

Today is World Mental Health Day. Yesterday, our CEO Nyla Khan FRSA had the pleasure of attending the Mental Health & Wellbeing Awards in Wales, an inspiring event that celebrates individuals and companies who go above and beyond to prioritise the wellbeing of others. The event was wonderfully hosted by the amazing Dawn Evans, and we had the honour of hearing from keynote speaker Frank Bruno, who shared his powerful journey. Nyla will be supporting Dawn in bringing these awards to Scotland for the very first time on 21 February 2025. Save the date – this is something you won’t want to miss! #WorldMentalHealthDay #WellbeingAwards #MentalHealthMatters #MentalWellness #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthSupport

Gisèle Pélicot, 72, bravely testified in a French court about the decade of terror she suffered, drugged by her own husband and raped by dozens of men in her home. Now, 51 men, including her husband, stand trial for this unthinkable betrayal. Yet, society blames women – judging their clothes, their behaviour, their choices. But Gisèle was asleep in her own bed, next to the man meant to protect her. If a woman isn’t safe there, where is she safe? This isn’t an isolated act of evil. It’s part of a global epidemic. According to the World Health Organisation, 1 in 3 women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence, most of it from intimate partners. The real problem? A culture that allows men to believe they have the right to violate, control, and dominate women. This is a war on women, unfolding every day, everywhere. Sexual violence is rising, yet the world remains disturbingly silent. Where is the outrage? Why is the news coverage so thin? It’s time to wake up. Women must be safe – at home, in the streets, everywhere. This isn’t just Gisèle's story. It’s all of ours. Share it. Talk about it. Demand justice. #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #JusticeForGisèle #WarOnWomen #ProtectWomen #BreakTheSilence #EndRapeCulture #JusticeForSurvivors #NoMoreExcuses #GenderBasedViolence #SupportSurvivors #EmpowerWomen

I’m thrilled to welcome Niharika Noakes FRSA on board as Universal Truth CIC's new Chair and Fundraising lead! With over 15 years of experience in advocacy and community development, Niharika is a powerhouse of transformative leadership. Her unwavering commitment to women’s rights has driven her to tirelessly combat human trafficking and violence against women. As the co-founder of the 16 Days of Action campaign in Edinburgh, a global movement focused on ending violence against women and girls (VAWG), her impact is truly global. I’m excited to have Niharika on board as we work together to eradicate forced marriage and honour-based violence, creating a safer world for all. See her bio at https://lnkd.in/eYX8A96V #Leadership #Advocacy #EndForcedMarriage #VAWG #CommunityImpact #HumanRights #WomenEmpowerment #GlobalChange #StopViolence #TogetherForChange #TransformativeLeadership #Fundraising Assa Samaké-Roman FRSA Richard Moore Sam Anderson Tariq Ali 

In times of division and unrest we must remember it's not the people at grassroots who are at fault. The issues we face stem from those at the top – the government and systemic structures. We’re all tired. Police officers, minorities, and every single person are navigating a tough landscape. But let’s remember: ·      Not all white individuals are bad. ·      Not all minorities are bad. ·      Not all police officers are bad. We must stop using the victim card and focus on unity. Our goal is not to place blame but to understand and uplift each other. So, I challenge you to: ·      Spread kindness: send a caring message to your colleagues who strive for a better world. ·      Show appreciation: send a thank you card to your local police station. ·      Break the cycle: instead of chronic complaining, choose positivity and proactive solutions. We need radical humanists who see beyond politics and religion, who understand every perspective, and who work towards ending this cycle of negativity. Let’s foster understanding, kindness, and unity. We’re all in this together. #OneHumanity #SpreadKindness #UnityOverDivision

A huge thank you to Pam Gosal MBE MSP who sponsored the Roundtable discussion on forced marriage at the Scottish Parliament earlier this month. She has confirmed she will raise these issues with the Scottish Government. Her support and ongoing commitment to combat forced marriage and honour-based violence among ethnic minority women is truly invaluable. Access the recommendation we shared during the event via https://lnkd.in/eMnj578f #EndForcedMarriage #HonourBasedViolence #UniversalTruth #ScottishParliament #EthnicMinorityWomen #LegislativeReform #HumanRights #SocialJustice #EqualityForAll

The recommendation paper from the Universal Truth Roundtable on ending forced marriage is now available. It provides a roadmap for policymakers, practitioners, and communities to effectively combat forced marriage and support those affected by this human rights violation. Key recommendations include: ☑️Overcoming community pressure and social control. ☑️Strengthening the Forced Marriage etc. (Protection and Jurisdiction) (Scotland) Act (2011). ☑️Addressing Racial Anxiety. Eradicating forced marriage demands collaboration and commitment across all sectors of society. Together, we can address root causes, challenge structural inequalities, and uphold the rights of every individual in Scotland. Let's work towards a future of freedom, equality, and dignity for all. Download the paper via https://lnkd.in/eMnj578f #EndingForcedMarriage #Collaboration #HonourBasedViolence #UniversalTruth #ScottishParliament #EthnicMinorityWomen #LegislativeReform #HumanRights #SocialJustice #EqualityForAll #policy 

This week, I hosted a Roundtable at the Scottish Parliament to discuss recommendations for ending forced marriage. We identified gaps in Scotland's legal framework and gathered ideas for improvement. This event was a milestone for Universal Truth in our mission to end forced marriage and honour-based violence among ethnic minority women. Thank you to everyone who attended; your engagement was fantastic and highlighted the urgent need to address this often-overlooked issue. A special thanks to Pam Gosal MSP for sponsoring this Roundtable. I look forward to working with you to make a positive difference. And thank you to The Robertson Trust for their kind donation. Stay tuned for the release of our recommendation paper next week. #EndForcedMarriage #HonourBasedViolence #UniversalTruth #ScottishParliament #EthnicMinorityWomen #LegislativeReform #HumanRights #SocialJustice #EqualityForAll

Violent offenders, including domestic abusers, sentenced to less than four years in prison are eligible for the government’s early release scheme designed to relieve the pressure in overcrowded jails. This means survivors of abuse are being put in danger. Many won’t know their perpetrator is due for early release and this seriously undermines their ability to plan for their own safety, particularly as we know that perpetrators of domestic abuse often reoffend. I join Nicole Jacobs, the independent domestic abuse commissioner, to urge the Ministry of Justice to prioritise survivor safety over prison overcrowding. It's time to ensure they don't pay the price for inadequate policies. https://lnkd.in/eCKT3TvX #Policy #DomesticAbuse #SurvivorSafety #Safeguarding #CommunitySafety

I’m thrilled to be featured in the Spring Issue of Women in Leadership magazine! This thought leadership publication sheds light on pressing issues affecting women globally. It's an honour to contribute alongside trailblazing women from diverse backgrounds and regions. As a Lived Experience Leader, my mission is to drive meaningful societal change and put an end to these exploitative and unlawful practices. Thank you to founder and editor of WomeninLeadershipPublication, Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, for this opportunity. https://lnkd.in/gVn2BS8 #WomenLeadership #InclusiveLeadership #SocialImpact #ThoughtLeadership #Leadership #Friday #GenderEquality #EndForcedMarriage

Thank you to Adrià Guevara i Figueras for taking the time to show me around The Parliament of Catalonia last week. It was a privilege to tour this historic building and find out more about the functions of Parliament and the progressive work around gender equality. François Roberge Simina Tulbure Richard Moore Assa Samaké-Roman FRSA #equality #feminism #collaborations #parliament #policy #progression #womeninleadership #inspiration #genderequality