Freedom Charity Wins National Diversity Award 2026
Freedom Charity has won the Community Organisation Award for Gender at the 2026 National Diversity Awards.
The National Diversity Awards announced Freedom as the winner at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on 18 September 2026.
Founded by Aneeta Prem MBE in 2009, Freedom Charity works to prevent forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), Dishonour Abuse and related forms of coercion. Its work includes safeguarding education, a specialist 24-hour helpline, professional training, school resources, the Freedom App and practical support.
The 2026 National Diversity Awards were headline sponsored by HSBC UK.
Campaigning to change the law
When Freedom began in 2009, forcing someone into marriage was not yet a specific criminal offence in England and Wales.
From the outset, changing that was one of Freedom’s primary aims.
In June 2013, Aneeta Prem gave evidence to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee considering what became the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
During that evidence, she told MPs that Freedom had been established with a primary aim of seeing forced marriage become a criminal offence.
The law changed the following year. On 16 June 2014, forcing someone into marriage became a specific criminal offence in England and Wales.
Freedom is proud of the part it played in that campaign. The change also reflected the work of survivors, campaigners, charities, parliamentarians, government and professionals who had pressed for stronger protection.
Read the parliamentary record of Aneeta Prem’s evidence
Read the GOV.UK announcement on the forced-marriage offence
Read Freedom Charity’s forced-marriage information
Virginity testing and hymenoplasty
Freedom also campaigned against virginity testing and hymenoplasty.
The Health and Care Act 2022 made it illegal to carry out, offer, aid or abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty anywhere in the UK.
For Freedom, this work forms part of a wider commitment to challenging coercion and abuse, including practices imposed through family or community pressure.
Changing the law matters. However, professionals also need to recognise risk, respond safely and know where people can find support.
Read the current government guidance on virginity testing and hymenoplasty
Read more about Freedom Charity’s work on law change
Education before crisis
Education has always been central to Freedom’s work.
Young people need language that helps them recognise coercion, understand consent and know when something is wrong. Teachers and other adults also need the confidence to recognise warning signs and respond safely.
Freedom created But It’s Not Fair to open conversations about forced marriage, choice and coercion.
Cut Flowers was written to help young people explore FGM, safeguarding and prevention.
Freedom Charity reports donating more than 100,000 copies of the two books to schools, young people and safeguarding settings.
The books sit alongside Freedom’s separate forced-marriage and FGM lesson resources. Those lesson resources have received the PSHE Association Quality Mark.
The distinction is important: the Quality Mark applies to the lesson resources rather than to the novels themselves.
Find out about But It’s Not Fair
Explore Freedom Charity’s work with schools
Support when it is needed
Prevention and education sit alongside practical support.
Freedom operates a specialist 24-hour, seven-day-a-week UK helpline for people affected by forced marriage, FGM and Dishonour Abuse. Friends and professionals can also contact the helpline for support.
The charity also provides specialist safeguarding training for professionals working in education, health and social care, policing, justice, local authorities, public bodies and other frontline services.
In addition, the Freedom App gives people access to information and routes to help.
Contact the Freedom Charity helpline
Find professional safeguarding training
Find out about the Freedom App
Forced marriage, FGM and Dishonour Abuse
Today, Freedom works across forced marriage, FGM, Dishonour Abuse, safeguarding education, support and professional training.
Freedom uses the term Dishonour Abuse for abuse often described elsewhere as so-called “honour-based abuse”.
We use that language because there is no honour in coercion, control, threats or violence.
At the same time, Freedom continues to use recognised official terminology where necessary so that people searching for information and help can find it.
Read about female genital mutilation
Aneeta Prem MBE on the award
Aneeta Prem MBE, Founder of Freedom Charity, said:
“We are humbled and honoured that Freedom Charity has won the Community Organisation Award for Gender.
“When I founded Freedom in 2009, forced marriage was not yet a specific criminal offence in England and Wales. Making it one was among our primary aims, and I am very proud of the part Freedom played in campaigning for that change.
“Our work continued with virginity testing and hymenoplasty, FGM, Dishonour Abuse, safeguarding, education and support.
“Education has always been particularly important to me. Freedom has donated more than 100,000 copies of But It’s Not Fair and Cut Flowers. Those books have helped us put difficult safeguarding issues into language that young people, teachers and families can talk about.
“This award belongs to the people who have trusted Freedom and to our volunteers, trustees, supporters, teachers, professionals and partners who have helped us carry out this work.
“There is still a great deal to do. We want to reach more young people, work with more schools, train more professionals and make sure that anyone facing forced marriage, FGM or Dishonour Abuse knows where to turn.
“We hope this recognition will help us build the support and partnerships that allow Freedom to do even more.”
National Diversity Awards 2026
The National Diversity Awards named Freedom Charity the 2026 winner of the Community Organisation Award for Gender.
Freedom had previously been selected as one of ten organisations on the official shortlist for the gender category.
The Awards celebrated their 15th year in 2026 and took place at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.
HSBC UK was headline sponsor of the 2026 National Diversity Awards. Other official sponsors included Kantar, Airbus, BT Group, Manchester Airports Group, The Phoenix Community Trust, Lush Liverpool and Able Magazine.
Freedom thanks the National Diversity Awards for recognising the charity’s work and everyone who supported the 2026 Awards.
Above all, we thank the people who have trusted Freedom.
See the official National Diversity Awards 2026 winners
See the official National Diversity Awards 2026 sponsors
See the official National Diversity Awards 2026 shortlist
Watch the National Diversity Awards 2026
The National Diversity Awards ceremony was livestreamed from Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.
Embed the official YouTube recording here so visitors can watch the ceremony without leaving the Freedom website.
I would use the YouTube embed rather than writing a long paragraph around it.
Help Freedom do more
This award recognises work already carried out. Our attention now turns to what still needs to be done.
Freedom wants to reach more children and young people before abuse reaches crisis point.
We want to put more safeguarding resources into schools, support more teachers, train more professionals and maintain routes to help for people who need them.
That work needs support.
Companies can help fund safeguarding education and resources. Trusts and foundations can support programmes for young people and professionals. Schools can bring Freedom’s education into the classroom. Individuals can donate or help us put more books and resources into the hands of young people.
We also welcome organisations that want to build a serious partnership with Freedom around safeguarding, education and prevention.
Explore Freedom’s work with schools
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Freedom Charity National Diversity Award 2026: FAQs
What award did Freedom Charity win in 2026?
Freedom Charity won the Community Organisation Award for Gender at the 2026 National Diversity Awards.
Who founded Freedom Charity?
Aneeta Prem MBE founded Freedom Charity in 2009.
What does Freedom Charity do?
Freedom Charity works to prevent forced marriage, female genital mutilation, Dishonour Abuse and related coercion. Its work includes a specialist 24-hour helpline, safeguarding education, professional training, school resources, the Freedom App and practical support.
Did Freedom Charity campaign for forced marriage to become a criminal offence?
Yes. Criminalisation was one of Freedom Charity’s primary aims. In 2013, Aneeta Prem gave evidence to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee considering the legislation. The forced-marriage offence came into force in England and Wales on 16 June 2014.
Did Freedom Charity campaign against virginity testing and hymenoplasty?
Yes. Freedom campaigned against virginity testing and hymenoplasty. The Health and Care Act 2022 makes it illegal to carry out, offer, aid or abet either practice throughout the UK.
How many books has Freedom Charity donated?
Freedom Charity reports donating more than 100,000 copies of But It’s Not Fair and Cut Flowers.
Do Freedom Charity’s school resources have the PSHE Association Quality Mark?
Freedom Charity’s separate forced-marriage and FGM lesson resources have received the PSHE Association Quality Mark. The Quality Mark does not apply to the novels themselves.
Was HSBC UK involved in the 2026 National Diversity Awards?
Yes. HSBC UK was the headline sponsor of the 2026 National Diversity Awards. Freedom’s Community Organisation Award for Gender was not shown as having a separate category sponsor on the official winners page.
How can an organisation support Freedom Charity?
Companies, trusts, foundations, schools and other organisations can support Freedom through funding, safeguarding education, professional training, resources and partnership work.