Two distinguished equal rights activists have been honoured for their outstanding achievements as part of a new awards scheme.
Pragna Patel, Director of Southall Black Sisters and Mauro Cabral, Co-Director of Global Action for Trans Equality, or GATE, were announced winners of the inaugural Bob Hepple Equality Awards at a lavish ceremony in London. Held last Thursday (Jul 16) at the offices of law firm Reed Smith, guests admired the beautiful views, including a timely sunset, from the 32nd floor of The Broadgate Tower, capturing these on their mobile phones as a backdrop to selfies.
Sir Bob Hepple, who was due to present the awards, was taken ill earlier in the day and sent his best wishes to the winners from his hospital bed. Instead, an eloquent Saphieh Ashtiany, Head of Employment at a law firm and a trustee of event organiser The Equal Rights Trust, did the honours.
Also on the panel, in addition to the two award winners and Saphieh, were Shami Chakrabarti CBE and Dr Dimitrina Petrova, Directors of Liberty and The Equal Rights Trust, respectively.
Dr Petrova said: “We are delighted that this inaugural award will celebrate two activists who have different equality focuses, located in different parts of the world, but are united by one commonality – their enduring commitment to enhance equality among their contrasting communities.”
Pragna described her award as “recognition of collective endeavours and achievements.” Founded in 1979, Southall Black Sisters campaigns for, and offers practical support to women escaping domestic violence and forced marriages. In her “extremely moving” speech, Pragna shared with attendees ‘tip of the iceberg’ stories from her portfolio.
Shami’s “illuminating” speech won rapturous applause. Her pitch, way with words and her natural ability to grab the audience’s full attention was obvious. Shami, an outstanding communicator, who is of Hindu-Bengali parentage, has been Director of Liberty, the British civil liberties advocacy organisation, since 2003.
South African-born Sir Bob Hepple, who will turn 81 next month, is Honorary President of The Equal Rights Trust, an independent, global organisation set up in 2007 to combat discrimination and promote equality as a fundamental human right and a basic principle of social justice. Sir Bob, described by Pragna as “an illustrious human rights defender”, was active in the anti-apartheid struggle. As an advocate at the Johannesburg Bar he defended African National Congress leaders including Nelson Mandela. In 1963 he was indicted with Mandela and others on charges which carried the death penalty. He managed to flee the country and was a banned person in South Africa for 27 years.
The evening concluded with a buffet dinner, drinks and networking.
