
I have a confession to make , I can’t knit or crochet. So launching a charity knitting campaign to raise awareness on FGM may seem a bit odd.
Freedom Charity is asking all communities to knit (or crochet) red triangles in it’s awareness campaign to eradicate FGM. The groups will make their triangles to be worn on the lapel and sell them to friends, family and the community. The funds raised will help Freedom work with schools so they can learn how to deliver essential lessons on FGM. Schools will also receive copies of my book Cut Flowers to help change opinions on cutting.

My mum Savita’s lovely friend Tricia came up with a really beautiful pattern of a crochet triangle. It looks really elegant.
Having never read a knitting or crochet pattern I have shown the pattern to experts and all say ‘its easy to follow.’
Freedom FGM Crochet Red Triangle charity knitting
Crochet Triangle Pattern
3.5 crochet hook & double knit yarn
Centre ch 3, join with a slip stitch
Working into centre ring
1st round – ch 2 (stands as dc) htr, tr, ch 2, tr, htr, dc, htr, tc, ch2, tr, htr, dc, htr, tr, 2 ch, tr, htr, then sl st into the 2 ch at the beginning of the round,
2nd round – ch2 (stands as dc) dc into the tops of the htr and tr below, (dc, ch 2, dc) into 1st corner, then 5 dc into the tops of stitches along second side,
(dc, ch 2, dc) into 2nd corner, then 5 dc into the tops along third side,
(dc, ch 2 dc) into 3rd corner then dc into tops of the tr and htr along the remaining section of 1st row. Then sl st into the 2 ch at the beginning of the round.
Please send me details on how you get on and send me your attempts.

AI abuse in schools is not a reason to remove every photograph. It is a reason to use images with stronger consent, clearer purpose, and better safeguarding judgment.

Afghanistan's child marriage is worsening as hunger, aid cuts and Taliban family law place girls at risk. Aneeta Prem writes on why silence is not consent.

The death of Twisha Sharma has reopened a global question about dowry abuse, coercive control, family reputation and why women are still judged by what their families can provide.

Laws can punish abuse after it happens. Preventing dishonour abuse requires something harder: educating children early, supporting victims safely, and challenging the beliefs that allow coercion, fear and control to thrive behind closed doors.

A Child Cannot Consent to Marriage. The Nottingham child marriage case shows why UK law had to change. Since February 2023, under-18 marriage has been a criminal offence in England and Wales, including some overseas and religious ceremonies, even where coercion is not proved.

Capacity, Consent and Dishonour Abuse: Why “no capacity means no consent” is the safeguard the world is still failing to apply