Examiner Community Awards: Friend of the Year nominees

Jun 6 2009 by Emma Davison, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

WHEN women face the terrifying prospect of a forced marriage at least there is one woman they can turn to for help.

Sabera Mulla, from Dewsbury, dedicates much of her spare time helping Asian women in her community like Nasreen Hussain, who found herself in an arranged marriage with no-one to turn to.

Nominating Sabera for Friend of the Year, Nasreen said: “She really helps people, especially women in forced marriages or with abusive husbands – she got me out when nobody in my family or community helped.

“No matter when or where or any time of the day, she’s there to help.”

Despite her job as a support worker at Savile Town Infant and Nursery School, Sabera always makes time to be there for those who need help and advice.

She also works to provide women with education opportunities and has set up exercise classes and sports groups, including the first women’s rounders team in England which is heading to the 2012 Olympics.

Sabera, a Kirklees UNISON officer, said: “If anybody needs help, I never say no!

“But I feel quite privileged knowing I can make a difference.”