Why's the Asian Circle in India? Answers Kalyani

Why's the Asian Circle in India? Answers Kalyani

Today, a group of nine British Asian women have landed in India to travel with Oxfam and see for themselves what it takes to make a difference to the lives of other women who have a lot less. Women who face the daily risk of being a woman: the violence, the poverty, the lack of voice and opportunity.

Why do these women from the UK care? Why has a group of British Asian women come together to support some of the poorest women in India? Professional careers, successful businesses, family; their lives are already full. They care, act and lead, because they can, and they must. They have come together to form the ‘Asian Circle’.

The Asian Circle was established in the UK to work with Oxfam in supporting vulnerable women in India and South Asia. It is a diverse network of leading business women, lawyers, celebrities and MPs that enables women to connect and inspire each other to fight the inequality and poverty that women fin South Asian face. Their goal is to work with Oxfam on projects and campaigns that increase South Asian women’s capability and full participation in their communities through strengthening voice, gaining equality and realising their earning potential.

The Asian Circle is itself part of a larger movement of women ‘The Circle’, which was founded by the British singer Annie Lennox in 2008: It is a partnership of highly influential women in the UK who are passionate about women's rights, empowering other women and female leadership.

“ The Circle is a partnership of women…it’s an opportunity for collaboration…it’s about bringing ideas, skills and resources to the table. I believe that there are many woman who feel the same way as I do regarding poverty, inequality and injustice, and if we can get together in partnership, perhaps we can create solutions to the problems” -- Annie Lennox

Today the Asian Circle women begin a 2 week journey to visit the projects in India that they are raising funds and awareness for.

Innovative projects which are working with Tribal Adivasi women in two of the poorest states in India, Chhattisgarh and Odhisa. They are travelling to remote tribal areas and meeting women for whom violence is a daily part of their lives.

The group will spend time with tribal communities to learn how issues affecting women are being tackled through Oxfam India’s work. They will meet incredibly inspiring women in India, women who are fighting violence against themselves yet are full of hope.

The women of the Asian Circle are part of a powerful movement of inspiring British Asian women who have partnered with Oxfam, one of the world’s most respected charities, with a long term vision for real and lasting gender equality.

By working together and contributing their experiences, skills, influence and reach, they are empowered to collectively make a powerful impact on the lives of Asian women living in poverty.

They can and will ‘be the change’.

Written by: Kalyani Gandhi-Rhodes (OGB)