National Day of Memory
Join us for the 11th National Day of Memory to remember all those lost to Honour Based Abuse.
Date and time
Location
Civic Hall
Calverley Street Leeds LS1 1UR United KingdomRefund Policy
About this event
- Event lasts 7 hours 30 minutes
On the 14th July 2025, Karma Nirvana will hold its 11th National Day of Memory at Leeds Civic Hall, bringing a day of powerful remembrance, reflection and collective action in honour of those we have lost to Honour Based Abuse.
The Day of Memory was created in 2014 following a joint campaign by Karma Nirvana and Cosmopolitan magazine, supported by over 125,000 petitioners. Officially recognised by the UK government, the day falls on the birthday of Shafilea Ahmed, a bright, courageous young woman who was murdered by her parents for bringing perceived “shame” on her family. Her story, echoed in the lives of many others, is one of strength, agency, and injustice.
As Shafilea would have turned 39 this year, we will gather once again to remember her and all those who should still be with us today. Their lives mattered. Their names must be spoken. And their legacies must drive lasting change.
What to Expect on the Day:
- Memory Box: Families and friends of Shafilea Ahmed, Banaz Mahmod, Fawziyah Javed, Abida Karim and Naz Mahmood will share personal reflections, photos, and cherished memories of their loved ones.
- Brown Leaf Project: A powerful collaborative artwork and video with our Survivor Ambassador Panel, exploring the symbolism of the “brown leaf”—what it felt like to fall, and what it means now to grow anew.
- Ministerial Address: A speech from a UK Government Minister outlining the government’s commitment to tackling Honour Based Abuse.
- Closing Keynote: Delivered by Dame Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner, reflecting on progress, responsibility, and the road ahead.
- Shafilea’s Birthday Tribute: We will gather together to cut a birthday cake in Shafilea’s honour.
Who can attend?
Please note that this conference is a professionals-only event. Attendance is restricted to individuals working within the statutory or voluntary sectors. This includes, but is not limited to, professionals in:
- Policing and criminal justice
- Specialist VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) services
- Social care
- Health and mental health services
- Housing
- Legal and judiciary sectors
- Education and academia
Because survivors will be sharing personal and sensitive experiences, the event is a closed, private space and not open to members of the general public.
To attend, you must be joining in an official professional capacity and register using your work/organisation email.
Registrations from individuals outside of these criteria will not be accepted.
Tickets
General Admission and includes Karma Nirvana mug
0£30.00Early Bird
0£20.00
Frequently asked questions
Registration opens at 9am, with coffees, teas, and pastries served on arrival. The conference will begin promptly at 9:30am and is expected to conclude by 4:30pm.
There is no dedicated parking at Leeds Civic Hall, but there are several nearby car parks: Rosebowl Car Park – Portland Crescent (LS1 3HB) – closest option Citipark Merrion Centre – Merrion Way (LS2 8BT) Woodhouse Lane Car Park – Woodhouse Lane (LS2 3AX)
No. To protect the privacy and safety of survivor speakers, the event will not be livestreamed or made available as a recording. We encourage attendance in person for those eligible.
Yes, a buffet lunch will be provided, along with coffees and teas available throughout the day. Please add a note on the booking form if you have any dietary requirements.
Yes. Leeds Civic Hall is wheelchair accessible and includes step-free access, accessible toilets, and hearing loop facilities. If you have specific access requirements, please let us know during registration or by emailing us directly so we can ensure your needs are met.
Yes. If you are booking multiple tickets, you must provide the name, job title, and organisation for each attendee. This ensures each participant is registered correctly and receives relevant event information. Unnamed bookings may not be accepted.
The conference is open only to professionals working in the statutory or voluntary sectors. This includes police, social care, education, health, housing, legal services, and specialist VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) organisations. You must be attending in a professional capacity.
If you're unsure whether your role qualifies you to attend, please contact us at events@karmanirvana.org.uk with your job title, organisation, and reason for attending, and we’ll be happy to advise.
Organised by
Karma Nirvana is an award-winning National charity supporting victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage. Honour crimes are not determined by age, faith, gender or sexuality, we support and work with all victims. We run a national helpline offering direct support and guidance to victims, survivors and professionals.