Not In My Name

Not In My Name – The Movement That Roared on International Women’s Day

Girls are being cut. A child is being forced into marriage. Across the UK, this is still happening.

This year, something changed.

On International Women’s Day 2025, silence ended. Voices rose together. Young people refused to look away. Boys and men stood beside women and girls and said—enough.

Then—they roared.

Hundreds of students stood together. Fists were raised. Voices filled the air as they declared—Not In My Name.

This was more than an event. It was a turning point.

The Survivor Who Left the Room Silent

She was a child when they took her away. Although she begged them to stop, they ignored her. They forced her into a life she did not choose.

Now, she stands in front of us—unbroken.

More than a survivor, she is a warrior.

The room fell silent—not from shock, but from awe.

One by one, students rose to their feet. First, ten stood. Then, twenty followed. Eventually, the entire hall stood. Finally, the roar—Not In My Name.

It wasn’t just a statement. It was a battle cry.

“There are stories that change you. This was one of them. This woman was not just a survivor—she was a fighter. A warrior. A leader. They tried to break her, but she built herself back stronger. They tried to silence her, but she became the voice for those who still suffer. If one woman can stand and say ‘No more,’ then so can we. If she can fight back, then so must we all. If she can rise, then we must rise with her.” – Aneeta Prem MBE

The Next Generation Has Spoken – Not In My Name

Philip called on boys and young men to take responsibility. His message was clear: “If we stay silent, we are part of the problem. We must stand with the women in our lives and say—Not In My Name.”

Seyi spoke about forced marriage. He explained how it happens, why it happens, and why education is the only way to stop it before it’s too late.

Abi’s speech on FGM was fearless. She exposed the lies, the excuses, and the justifications—this is abuse. This is mutilation. And it must end.

Meanwhile, Jessica’s performance of What Was I Made For left the room silent. Her words reflected the struggles, the stolen childhoods, and the pain too many girls still face.

Later, Megan took the stage and delivered Maya Angelou’s iconic poem, Still I Rise. As she read the final words—“Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear, I rise, I rise, I rise”—the message echoed through the room. A moment of defiance, strength, and hope.

Mina and Abby read a powerful passage from But It’s Not Fair.

More than 200 students received a copy of Aneeta Prem MBE’s book, But It’s Not Fair—a book that has been opening minds and saving lives for years.

For the first time, many students truly understood what it means to be trapped in a life they did not choose.

They made pledges, made commitments, and took action.

There Is No Honour in Abuse – It Is Dishonour

The word honour should never be used for abuse. No girl should be forced into marriage. No child should be cut. No woman should suffer in silence.

Forced marriage is not culture. FGM is not a tradition. These are crimes.

Ignoring the problem allows it to continue. Looking away lets another child suffer.

Freedom Charity – A Lifeline for Those Who Need It Most

Learn more about how Freedom Charity is fighting forced marriage & FGM: Freedom Charity – Official Website