Sikh Women's Aid International Remembrance Day

Sikh Women's Aid is proud to announce the launch of an annual International Day of Remembrance for Sikh Panjabi Women and Girls who have tragically lost their lives to domestic abuse, including honour-based abuse and harmful practices. This poignant event occurs on Wednesday 17th July 2024 from 10.00 am - 1.00 pm at The Wolverhampton Art Gallary in Wolverhampton. This event is dedicated to remembering and honouring the victims while raising awareness about the urgent need to combat these injustices within our community.

The decision to choose this specific date holds deep significance as it marks the birthday of Surjit Athwal.

Surjit's Story

Surjit Athwal, from Coventry, was killed in a M**der arranged by her in-laws. Surjit Athwal’s body was never found after her M**der in December 1998 which her husband’s parents organised after she reportedly voiced her desire to end the relationship after suffering years of domestic abuse. The mum of two was just 27 at the time.

Surjit married Sukhdave Athwal aged just 16 and disappeared 11 years later after going with her mother-in-law to a family wedding in India. Her body has never been found, but her mother-in-law boasted to relatives she had arranged for her to be strangled and dumped in a river after Surjit revealed she wanted a divorce.

For years Surjit’s death was concealed by her husband. Still, in a landmark case at the Old Bailey in 2007, both he and Surjit’s mother-in-law, Bachan Athwal, were the first in UK legal history to be convicted of an outsourced honour killing where the M**der was plotted in the UK but carried out abroad. They were both jailed for life.

Those who carried out the actual M**der were never found., a mother of two was killed. Surjit Athwal's story serves as a painful reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic abuse. She was taken away from her loved ones, and her life was cut short due to honour-based abuse and harmful practices that persist today.

Domestic Homicides of Sikh Panjabi Women and Girls.

"We invite you to join us in commemorating the lives of Sikh Panjabi women and girls who have tragically lost their lives to domestic abuse, nearly 25 years on from Surjit's case, the community is, in some pockets completely unaware of the risks to women and girls, especially when they wish to leave abusive marriages," said Sahdaish Pall, CEO of Sikh Women's Aid. "This International Day of Remembrance allows us to unite as a community, raise awareness, and ignite collective action against harmful practices perpetuating violence and injustice. Together, we can create a future where every Sikh Panjabi woman and girl can live without fear and experience the love and respect they deserve."

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom