The National Diversity Awards 2026 have shortlisted Freedom Charity for the Community Organisation Award – Gender.
The Freedom Charity shortlist recognises our work to prevent forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), dishonour abuse and coercive control.
For Freedom, however, national recognition matters because it gives us another opportunity to keep hidden abuse visible, strengthen safeguarding and reach people who may need help.
View Freedom Charity’s official National Diversity Awards 2026 shortlist profile
What has Freedom achieved?
The National Diversity Awards names Freedom as a 2026 Shortlisted Nominee, Community Organisation Award: Gender.
Its official profile says that Aneeta Prem MBE founded Freedom Charity in 2009. It also highlights our education, training, public awareness, helpline and safeguarding work.
In addition, the profile records that Freedom has donated more than 100,000 copies of But It’s Not Fair and Cut Flowers to schools and communities.
Both books help young people understand difficult safeguarding issues in clear language. But It’s Not Fair explores forced marriage, consent and coercion. Meanwhile, Cut Flowers helps young people understand FGM, bodily autonomy and protection.
What does the Freedom Charity shortlist recognise?
Freedom’s founder, Aneeta Prem MBE, said:
“It is lovely to see Freedom on the shortlist, but recognition matters most when it helps people see the issue.
“A young person facing a forced marriage needs to know that marriage must be their choice. Adults around a girl at risk of FGM need to recognise the danger and act. Anyone living with threats or control should know that asking for help is never something to be ashamed of.
“If this recognition helps another person understand what abuse looks like, know their rights or find help, then it has real value.”
Aneeta added:
“Freedom has always tried to turn awareness into action. Sometimes that means helping one frightened person. At other times, it means giving a child the words to ask for help, training a professional or challenging something in the law or safeguarding system that needs to change.
“The purpose is always the same: to protect someone’s freedom before abuse takes it away.”
Why does recognition matter?
Forced marriage, FGM and dishonour abuse can remain hidden because coercion often comes from people the victim knows, loves or depends upon.
Family pressure may involve threats, surveillance, isolation, financial control or several relatives acting together. Consequently, asking for help can feel dangerous.
Effective safeguarding therefore requires more than knowing that an offence exists.
Young people need language they understand. Equally, teachers and professionals need the confidence to recognise warning signs and respond safely. Most importantly, anyone at risk needs a clear and trusted route to help.
Freedom focuses on those practical needs.
There is no honour in abuse.
Marriage requires free and full consent. FGM is abuse and is illegal in the UK. Likewise, culture, tradition, religion or family expectations can never justify violence, coercion or taking away another person’s freedom.
How can education help?
Prevention should begin before a crisis.
Through our education work, children and young people learn about choice, consent, coercion and personal safety without carrying responsibility for their own safeguarding.
We also work with schools and professionals. As a result, adults with safeguarding responsibilities can identify concerns earlier and respond more confidently.
Education cannot remove every risk. Nevertheless, it can help a young person recognise that something is wrong while giving trusted adults the knowledge to act.
Freedom and Aneeta recognised
The National Diversity Awards also separately nominated Freedom Charity founder Aneeta Prem MBE for the Positive Role Model Award for Gender and Lifetime Achiever Award in 2026.
Those nominations remain separate from Freedom Charity’s place on the shortlist.
View Aneeta Prem MBE’s official National Diversity Awards nominee profile
For Freedom, the focus remains clear: protecting people from abuse and defending their right to safety, dignity and choice.
When are winners announced?
The National Diversity Awards will announce the 2026 winners on Friday 18 September 2026 at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.
Whatever happens on the night, the Freedom Charity shortlist gives forced marriage, FGM and dishonour abuse a wider national platform.
Above all, it gives us another opportunity to reach someone who may need help.
View Freedom Charity’s official National Diversity Awards 2026 profile
View the full National Diversity Awards 2026 shortlist
Quick answers
What award is Freedom shortlisted for?
Freedom Charity is shortlisted for the National Diversity Awards 2026 Community Organisation Award – Gender.
Who founded Freedom Charity?
Aneeta Prem MBE founded Freedom Charity in 2009.
What does Freedom Charity do?
The charity works to prevent forced marriage, FGM, dishonour abuse and coercive control, while providing safeguarding education, resources and routes to support.
When are the winners announced?
The National Diversity Awards will announce the winners on 18 September 2026 at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.