Over the last few years, I have become more involved in bringing
social awareness to world issues especially in relation to women’s rights,
equality and sexual freedom.

I turn 50 today and have a birthday wish.

I would like to introduce #designersforchange to you, a
project that we are working on with Forward UK – a support organisation that is
committed to gender equality and safeguarding the rights of African girls and
women.

I personally find FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) one of the
most upsetting rituals happening to women across the world. The fact that over
200 million women are affected by this cruel practice is totally unbelievable
to me. FGM comprises all practises that involve partial or total removal of the
external female genitalia. There are no health benefits to FGM and it is
internationally recognised as a human rights violation.

So, my Birthday wish is to build a workshop in Tanzania
teaching a community of young women tailoring and creating a safe environment
for them to work and become more independent. To save women from FGM and child
marriage, to give women a voice and a choice to have the same rights that we
take for granted.

We need your donations to buy sewing machines, basic
workroom furniture, raw materials and employ teaching staff. We would like to
invite you to be part of this exciting project.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.