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Amnesty puts inspirational philosopher on ‘Suffragette Spirit’ map

08/03/2018

An inspirational University of Wolverhampton academic who has worked to tackle discrimination has been included on Amnesty’s ‘Suffragette Spirit Map of Britain’ to mark International Women’s Day.

Dr Meena Dhanda, Reader in Philosophy and Cultural Politics, has supported increased participation of marginalised women in parliamentary politics.

Through her teaching and research, she celebrates the contribution of unfairly neglected thinkers to philosophical thought. She also made a significant contribution to a public consultation on reforms to the UK’s Equality Act to protect British citizens against caste discrimination.

Dr Dhanda is featured in the interactive new map, launched today, which commemorates 100 years of women’s suffrage in the UK and showcases incredible women who defend human rights and campaign for a fairer society for all.

Hundreds of women across the nation were nominated and a final shortlisted 100, who Amnesty believe best represent the Suffragette Spirit, are featured.

  

Dr Dhanda is regularly called upon for her expertise and is an executive member of the Society for Women in Philosophy UK. She has also served as an elected council member of the British Association for South Asian Studies.

She said: “I am honoured to have been nominated and included in this map and will continue to support those who are under-represented in society and to give them a voice.”

Everyone placed on the Suffragette Spirit Map of Britain is represented with a photo and a brief explanation of their work. It is hoped that the map will inspire others to fight for human rights and show that human rights defenders are all around us.

The map will be profiled and updated throughout the centenary year of women’s suffrage. 

An Amnesty spokesperson said: “We know that so much of this work goes unnoticed, so Amnesty UK wants to put these women human rights defenders on the map.”

Find Meena on the Interactive Map.

Further information

The Suffragette Spirit project is a vital part of the global Amnesty’s BRAVE campaign which calls for increased recognition and protection of human rights defenders.

For media inquiries please contact emmap@wlv.ac.uk or call 01902 322736.

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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