Shahida Choudury on human rights

Tell us something about yourself.

I'm the mother of one and foster carer of three, ranging from 2 to 17 years. I work for a national children's charity, with anti-violence groups and survivors of domestic violence. And I'm an active member of Million Women Rise, which organises the annual march for International Women's Day to raise awareness about violence against women.

When was the first time you became aware of human rights?

I recall as a child watching the TV series 'Roots'. I was - and am still - horrified by the implications of a young child being deprived of everything: his name, his rights.

On a more personal level, I am a survivor of a forced marriage and violence, which led me to working with women.

What do human rights mean to you in your own life?

I think human rights impinge on every sphere. Working in domestic violence services you see that women don't know what rights they and their kids actually have - to respect, to protection from degrading treatment - and the duties and responsibilities of authorities to enforce these rights.

I‘m encouraged by Trevor Phillips' comment on the publication of The Postcode Lottery of Violence Against Women. He stated that that the Equality and Human Rights Commission would use its enforcement powers against the one in four local authorities which do not provide statutory specialist services to women.

In the personal sphere, I try to show my children that respect and fairness are essential in all relationships - children and their peers, parents, the wider community. And children should have a degree of autonomy: you have to take calculated risks to enable them to be independent.

What do you think is the public perception of human rights in the UK?

Mostly, that human rights is something for foreigners. The popular view that 'it doesn't happen here' prevents people from empathising with the concept. They don't appreciate that violations occur here too.

The Human Rights Act is seen as a 'villains' charter', or only there to defend 'illegal immigrants'. The tabloids are largely responsible for this. The growth of TV and the internet can be used to help people learn more about the concept and reality of human rights.

What more can be done to encourage people in the UK to think and feel positively about human rights?

Human rights belong to every individual in the UK as well as elsewhere - they must be incorporated as a part of our being. Education is obviously key, starting at school. At the other end of the spectrum, administrative bodies and service providers also need that education.

Name your human rights hero/heroine.

My first is Rosa Parks, the leading black female icon of the American Civil Rights movement.

And Sabrina Qureishi, co-ordinator of Million Women Rise. She was instrumental in organising last year's Women's Day March, the largest gathering of women since the Greenham Common protests.

What do other people think? Read more interviews.