An open panel discussion at Manchester Museum will explore the challenges of recovery from substance use amongst South Asian women.
 
The free event explores the role of izzat (honour) in South Asian women's recovery, and it takes place during Recoverist Month.
 
The speakers will include Kim Kaur from SAFIR (South Asian Females in Recovery), Dr Sarah Fox from Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and recovery advocate Aunee Bhogaita (pictured)

The event takes place Wednesday 11 September from 6pm.
 
Recoverist Month is the UK's only arts-based awareness event that places people in recovery from substance use centre stage. Events take place across Greater Manchester throughout September.

Along with her MMU colleagues, Dr Fox's study, Seeking Solutions for South Asian women with alcohol use, highlights the unique barriers South Asian women face in accessing support for their substance use. 
 
Key findings of the study will be discussed, including how South Asian women are often left carrying great shame and secrecy regarding their substance use, which often impacts their access to support.
 
Panellist Aunee Bhogaita, a survivor of child sexual abuse, and domestic violence, has experience of substance use which spanned 12 years.

Since coming into recovery, she founded  'Brown Girl in a Bottle' and has used her experiences to challenge the stigmas and taboos associated with addiction and recovery within the South Asian community.
 
And Kim Kaur, co-founder of SAFIR, a culturally sensitive and non-judgmental space that supports South Asian women's recovery, will share her frontline perspectives on recovery.
 
After the discussion, there will be the opportunity to explore the Museum's  award-winning South Asia Gallery. Co-curated by South Asia diaspora communities,  the gallery presents a compelling contemporary take on South Asian and British Asian culture.   
 
This event is hosted by Manchester-based arts and recovery organisation Portraits of Recovery (PORe) and is the start of a 12-month community conversation about South Asian women, substances and recovery.   
 
The project’s future artistic outcomes will be showcased as part of next year's Recoverist Month, in September 2025.  

Tickets are free but must be booked in advance here.