Teacher's award for raising awareness of forced marriage and FGM

A pioneering teacher passionate about educating young people has won an award from a human rights organisation.

Lisa Hughes, head of sixth form at an Enfield school, lobbied to get kids’ workshops about “honour” based violence, forced marriage and Female Genital Mutilation on the school’s curriculum.

Now at Winchmore School, the older pupils learn about the help that is available, should they be worried that they or their friends could be at risk of those issues.

But Lisa didn’t stop there. When approached by the Iranian and Kurdish Rights Organisation (IKWRO), she agreed to help promote the program across the country and became Schools Ambassador for IKWRO’s Right To Know campaign.

Lisa, of Winchmore School, Laburnum Grove, said: “This is a mixed multi-ethnic school, but that’s not the reason I decided to do it.

“I wanted to raise awareness for the amazing work that the organisation does and hep young people be aware of this crucial information.

“It’s vital that every young person in this country has the right to be taught this crucial information, and to know that their school staff understand how to best protect and support them.”

In 2016, the school hosted the first ever National School’s Conference on Combatting “Honour” Based Violence organised by IKWRO, Youth For Change and Not in My Classroom.

This ground-breaking conference brought together more than 100 representatives from all aspects of the education sector including teachers’ unions, teacher training providers, state schools, academies and school safeguarding police officers.

Lisa also took the cause to the Houses of Parliament where she spoke on a panel passionately advocating for the campaign and bringing her students with her to ask questions to the politicians on whom they had a significant impact.

Lisa added: “I was extremely honoured to be presented with this award and want to thank IKWRO.

“More people need to be made aware of this ground-breaking organisation for their work in raising awareness, campaigning to end “honour” based violence and providing such crucial support to survivors.”

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