Our first-ever Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) event… and we absolutely nailed it

POWERFUL. UNITED. UNSTOPPABLE.

Epic. Electric. Emotional.

I walked into a room and filled it with energy and left with even more. What I witnessed was community in action: diverse communities, different identities, cultures and experiences, all standing together with one purpose, to end violence against women and girls. That unity is power.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who showed me love, who held space for my story, even the hardest parts.

To our keynote speaker, and IPSA Patron, Payzee Mahmod and powerhouse panel Saiqa Akbar, Tami Blay, Harpreet Kaur M.IPSA - you inspired a sold-out room.

But the reality remains:

• 1 in 3 women will experience physical or sexual violence.

  
  

• A woman or girl is killed every 11 minutes by a partner or family member.

  
  

• 245 million women face violence from a partner each year.

This is why we are here. I am proud that this was Leverage Security’s first sponsored event, supported by the International Professional Security Association (IPSA). And to my MD and best friend Furqan Alam M.IPSA - thank you for making this possible. This is what real change looks like. None of this would have happened without the vision of Riaz Gull. His leadership through the Sharifa Ibrahim Foundation (SIF) is extraordinary and now SIF will offer free legal advice and support to women facing domestic abuse.

That is real action. Real impact.

I met women who trusted me with their stories - to each of you: I hear you. I am you, and we will drive change, together.

I left feeling hopeful, because last night proved the true power of collective action and community.