Southall Black Sisters
Encyclopedia
Southall Black Sisters is a non-profit All-Asian organisation based in Southall
, West London
, UK. This Asian-women's group was established in August 1979 in the aftermath of the death of anti-fascist activist Blair Peach
, who had taken part in a demonstration against a National Front rally at Southall Town Hall.
The SBS was originally established in order to provide a focus for the struggle of Asian women in the fight against racism, but became increasingly involved in defending the human rights of Asian women who are the victims of domestic violence and in campaigning against religious fundamentalism.
Throughout most of its existence, the group's primary campaigners have been Pragna Patel, Meena Patel and Hannana Siddique. Gita Sahgal, the writer and journalist (on issues of feminism, fundamentalism, and racism), film director, and human rights activist has also been an active member of the organization.
They are best known for the role they played in the Ahluwalia case in 1989 when a woman named Kiranjit Ahluwalia
set fire to her abusive husband. They supported her in the case, and were eventually successful.
Southall
Southall is a large suburban district of west London, England, and part of the London Borough of Ealing. It is situated west of Charing Cross. Neighbouring places include Yeading, Hayes, Hanwell, Heston, Hounslow, Greenford and Northolt...
, West London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, UK. This Asian-women's group was established in August 1979 in the aftermath of the death of anti-fascist activist Blair Peach
Blair Peach
Clement Blair Peach was a New Zealand-born teacher who was fatally assaulted by a police officer during an anti-racism demonstration in London, England....
, who had taken part in a demonstration against a National Front rally at Southall Town Hall.
The SBS was originally established in order to provide a focus for the struggle of Asian women in the fight against racism, but became increasingly involved in defending the human rights of Asian women who are the victims of domestic violence and in campaigning against religious fundamentalism.
Throughout most of its existence, the group's primary campaigners have been Pragna Patel, Meena Patel and Hannana Siddique. Gita Sahgal, the writer and journalist (on issues of feminism, fundamentalism, and racism), film director, and human rights activist has also been an active member of the organization.
They are best known for the role they played in the Ahluwalia case in 1989 when a woman named Kiranjit Ahluwalia
Kiranjit Ahluwalia
Kiranjit Ahluwalia is an Indian woman who came to international attention after burning her husband to death in 1989 in response to ten years of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse...
set fire to her abusive husband. They supported her in the case, and were eventually successful.
Resources
- Gupta Rahila (ed.) (2003) From Homebreakers to Jailbreakers: Southall Black Sisters London: Zed Books