Buy a copy of “But It’s Not Fair” or contact us about visiting your school
“But It’s Not Fair”, Aneeta Prem’s debut novel, covers the difficult subject of Forced Marriage in an easy-to-read format and is a useful educational tool (alongside our PSHE accredited lesson plans). Tens of thousands of these books have been donated to pupils and schools libraries since its first publication.
Sofia and Vinny are sisters who live in the East End of London. Vinny, 15, loves school. She wants to be a teacher when she grows up. Sofia, 10, loves bling and celebrities and wants to be on the cover of all the glossy magazines.
Sofia thinks most things in life are just ‘not fair’. She doesn’t have a laptop or even a mobile phone, and she has to share a room with Vinny. Vinny’s safe world is turned upside down when Abby Kambi and her very traditional family move into the neighbourhood. Vinny and Abby quickly become best friends and Vinny starts to see how different life could be for her. Abby and her family go abroad to her cousin Sarina’s wedding in the summer holidays and Abby doesn’t return to school.
Vinny, and even spoilt brat Sofia, realise that there are far bigger issues than makeup, Facebook and getting your homework in on time. What would you do if your best friend went on holiday and didn’t come back again? Would you turn a blind eye or would you stand up and shout ‘but it’s not fair’ until somebody listened?
This publication makes an important contribution to the ongoing campaign to eradicate all forms of violence and ill treatment of young people”.
Ms Chris Keates, former General Secretary, NASUWT The Teachers’ Union
“This book was a non-judgmental, fictional account of different perspectives on forced marriages, giving the background to the views of the traditional family and the families arriving to settle in this country. At the same time it showed the horrors of girls of 14- 16 being taken abroad against their will, forced to marry, and often being beaten and badly treated by the new husband’s family and with little prospect of any contact with their families here. The repercussions on families and school friends are described, together with ways in which fellow pupils and adults can be alert and know what action they could take. It is a complex situation which requires careful handling. I think the book is essential reading for school children, teachers and all those involved in dealing with the wider situation.”
Sheila Eaton, President, National Council of Women
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