Every year, we host our Day of Memory event, dedicated to remembering Shafilea Ahmed on her birthday, the 14th of July. Shafilea, a British-born girl, was tragically murdered by her parents at the age of 17 in 2003, due to her refusal to accept a marriage.
This day serves as a poignant reminder of Shafilea’s story, and the countless lives lost to Honour Based Abuse, including Fawziyah Javed, Somaiya Begum, and Samia Shahid.
This year, Shafilea would have turned 40 years old.
It also marks a landmark moment for the sector: on 29 April 2026, the
Crime and Policing Bill received Royal Assent, placing a statutory
definition of Honour-Based Abuse into UK law for the first time. This
change was secured through our #Push4Change campaign, in memory
of Fawziyah Javed, and carried forward by her mother Yasmin, survivors,
and over 60 partner organisations. It means police, social workers, and
other professionals will now have a shared, legal understanding of what
Honour-Based Abuse is.
While we aren’t hosting our in-person Day of Memory event this year, we are committed to ensuring the spirit of this day remains strong. This year’s theme is Pledging & Collaboration, and we’d love your support.
That’s why this year’s theme is pledging and collaboration. Just as the
statutory definition was achieved by people adding their voice to a
shared campaign, this Day of Memory is about everyone — survivors,
partners, and supporters — adding their own pledge and story to a
collective moment of remembrance. Share your pledge for 2026, as an
individual or as an organisation towards ending HBA in the UK
Read more about participating in the Day of Memory 2026 in our dedicated pack.
