INSPIRED by the UN International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, Ealing Southall MP, Virendra Sharma has hosted the British South Asian Youth Summit.

Around 100 youth delegates attended the workshop on Saturday, February 6 and heard from high profile NGO speakers.

The speakers included Natalie Dilworth, Senior Government Relations Adviser and Katie Rice, International Programmes Specialist working on Child Protection at UNICEF UK.

The delegates were placed in five separate discussion groups on the key policy areas in combating violence against women and girls.

They discussed the importance of tackling the issue in education, both at school and university, but also with the older generation too.

Speaking during the workshop Virendra Sharma MP said: "I am so pleased we have delegates from all our countries here today.

"Speakers, activists, volunteers and campaigners from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the UK are united by a common desire to act and secure change.

"As change makers there is no competition with the young as they are idealistic, committed and unflinching in challenging power.

"The social, ecological, and legal challenges of an interconnected world in the future will be more than any one country can face on their own.

"I am so pleased with the amazing breadth of people we have brought together today to inspire you."

Over the next month, delegates from the nine countries will be working together in the assigned policy groups and they will be invited to join part two of the ongoing workshop series in March.

The Labour MP thanked the speakers, praised the amazing work of the delegates and committed to facilitating the workshops for young people across South Asia and the UK.

He encouraged them to use their passion to translate it into meaningful campaigns in their own countries.

The next workshop will be on Saturday, March 20 between 2-3:30pm.

Those interested can sign up HERE.