Empowering Bangladeshi women in Birmingham.

Sonia Sabri Dance Company is a leading contemporary South Asian dance and music company based in Birmingham. We have an international reputation for presenting Kathak dance in a contemporary context and delivering transformational community projects with those that have little to no access to arts and culture.

SSCo has always based their work on the rich possibilities when Eastern and Western cultures meet, but have become increasingly troubled by the surge of emboldened prejudice and Islamophobia that threatens to marginalise Muslim women.

Various studies quantify the marginalisation of Muslim women. In August, MPs revealed that white women are three times less likely to be unemployed (6.8%) than black women (17.7%) or Pakistani and Bangladeshi women (20.5%). Last year the Office for National Statistics found almost two-thirds of Muslim women aged 16-64 were out of work. Numerous reasons were cited, including insufficient role models and cultural pressures on women.

There are also significant numbers of British Bangladeshis in Birmingham with the highest overall relative poverty rate of any ethnic group in the UK. 65% of Bangladeshis live in low income households.

SSCo will give a voice to these women. This brand new project, delivered in partnership mainstream primary and secondary schools, Colleges of higher education and community organisations will empower the Bangladeshi community in Birmingham. We’ll engage women and girls in dance, music and crafts to facilitate a dialogue and exchange about identity, tradition, and heritage.