Sameem Ali

Sameem Ali

Now in her 50s, Sameem Ali is a councilor in Moss Side Manchester. She was forced into a marriage at 13 and was a mother at 14.


In a series of eight short videos hear Sameem Ali talk about the lifelong trauma that survivors of forced marriage, domestic abuse, and so-called honour-based abuse have to contend with. She shares her views on:
  • the importance of counseling and therapy for survivors of forced marriage.
  • the importance of looking out for children missing from schools and off the register.
  • how important it is for social workers and health professionals to understand how to risk assess for forced marriage.
  • how important it is for the police to have proper funding to deal with the new responsibilities after the criminalisation of forced marriage.
  • sheds light on the difficulties in challenging the patriarchal mindsets within communities.
  • how women become the embodiment of concepts of HONOUR and SHAME in some communities.
  • how in 99% cases it is fear that a rebellious girl might bring (DIS)HONOUR & SHAME to the family, that that girl is forced into a marriage.
  • how important it is to EDUCATE & EMPOWER women.