‘We want women to lift other women up’ says the founder of a new charity set up to support Bangladeshi women.

Sabia Ali went back to education as an adult after getting married at 16 and says it was through positive female role models she was able to achieve what she has.

Last month the group Chameli was launched when about 50 women from the Bangladeshi community gathered at Zakia Family Centre in St James’s Road. 

The group is the brainchild of Sabia who is a grandmother and has lived in Croydon her whole life.

The 55-year-old brought her idea to Councillor Bernadette Khan, who was mayor at the time, last December.

As well as a place for women to meet and support each other, tackling domestic violence in the community is a top priority for the group. 

According to data from the 2011 census, there are more than 2,500 Bangladeshi people living in the borough. 

Cllr Khan said: “Sabia was very concerned about women in the community that suffered from domestic violence in silence. She wanted to address this issue.

“There are other groups but it is often the men that represent the community but there has to be an acknowledgement of the contribution that women make. 

“We want the women in this group to be able to empower other women to bring life changes.”

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The group will have employment workshops as well as social events and conferences on more hard-hitting topics including domestic violence.

Sabia says that while domestic violence is not necessarily more prevalent in the Bangladeshi community women could be less inclined to seek help through avenues that already exist. 

She chose to name the organisation Chameli, another name for Jasmine, as it is a small flower with a strong fragrance. 

“I wanted that name because it represents women,” she said. 

“We may be smaller than men in size but we want to be recognised for the work that we do. 

“Sadly there are also issues about domestic violence and abuse which we want to talk about and raise awareness. 

“Hopefully this will have a positive outcome and stop silent suffering, with the stigma attached, especially in our community.”

Sabia’s father came to London from Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, in 1945 and her mother moved to the country in 1962.

Sabia got married at just 16 years old and moved to Bangladesh with her husband  for a few years but came back to Croydon to have her three children. 

She went back to education in 1993 at Croydon College to do a business course. 

She eventually went on to the University of London and completed a law degree. 

From 1999 she worked at the Home Office and worked her way up. 

Now she is retired and wants to give back to the community. 

She says that it was the influence of strong women, as well as the support of husband Abdun Noor, that made it all possible. 

As a child she saw her mum working in the 1960s running a restaurant and was later encouraged to go back to education by her mother-in-law. 

Sabia said: “I think I was one of the fortunate ones. My marriage was arranged but he was the son of one of my dad’s closest friends. 

“I had the support network and at the time you don’t even realise the impact that can have. 

“The Bangladeshi community here in Croydon is quite self sufficient. 

“But I want it to be recognised that women are doing a fantastic job and they need to have a place where they can come together and encourage each other. 

“I want it to be about inclusiveness and equality.”

Chameli will next meet in November, but a date has not yet been set. 

For more information call the Zakia Family Centre where the group meets on 020 8672 6581 and leave a message for Chameli. 

Other women spearheading the group include Fajli Bibi, Shofna Uddin, Sadia Husain, Jolika Uddin and Noreen Shah.