TODAY is the second annual Memorial Day for the victims of honour-based violence – and also would have been the 30th birthday of tragic Warrington victim Shafilea Ahmed.
The Great Sankey High School pupil was killed by her parents in 2003 because they believed she had brought shame on their family by refusing to accept an arranged marriage.
Her death led to a major murder hunt which eventually led to her mother and father being convicted.
The annual Memorial Day has been established by charity group Karma Nirvana.
Worldwide, an estimated 5,000 women are killed for bringing “shame” on their families – a number of them being British.
Honour based violence can include: Acid attacks, Assault, Blood feuds, Disfigurement, Domestic abuse, Dowry, False imprisonment, Female genital mutilation, Forced marriage, Forced repatriation, Harassment, Murder, Kidnap, Stalking, Self-harm, suicide, Rape and sexual assault.
Shafilea was 17 when she was murdered by her parents because they believed she had brought shame on their family.
They suffocated her in front of her siblings and then dumped her body in a river in Cumbria.
Shafilea Ahmed – would have been 30 today
