The director of the association 'Femmes for Freedom' will address women's rights and marital captivity in her talk entitled 'Las mujeres olvidadas de Europa’ [Europe's Forgotten Women].

Next Tuesday, May 31st, at 18.00, in the Aula Magna of La Nau, Shirin Musa, director of the association Femmes for Freedom visits the Universitat de València to give the conference 'Las mujeres olvidadas de Europa' on women's rights and the fight against marital captivity of which women and girls of immigrant origin in Europe are victims.

The event, organised by the Office of the Vice-Principal for Equality, Diversity and Inclusive Policies of the Universitat de València, through the Equality Unit, will have a simultaneous translation service from English.

Shirim Musa is a leading women's rights activist. A Pakistani-born Dutchwoman and founder of Femmes for Freedom, she has introduced the concept of marital captivity into Dutch society and is fighting for new European legislation to protect girls and women.

Femmes for Freedom advocates for women's rights and fights against forced marriage, marital captivity, polygamy, honour killing and the forced abandonment of women during a family visit abroad. The organisation works to prevent these crimes, to put them on the political agenda and to assist (legally) women who are victims of marital captivity.

"I founded Femmes for Freedom because I have been a captive woman myself," says Shirin Musa. "I believe in equality and freedom. The idea of inequality, lack of freedom and injustice affects me deeply. I believe in reason, fundamental human rights and unique human being.

Femmes for Freedom is based on these foundations, my own past, the desire to be free and happy, the belief in love and a better world. I want everyone to recognise and help the imprisoned woman to become a free and happy woman," adds the international activist.

• Poster of the conference
• Link to registratio