A project supporting disadvantaged women has been given a grant of more than £240,000 which will be used to help combat female genital mutilation, forced marriage and honour based violence.
The Zinthiya Trust helps disadvantaged women including those fleeing domestic violence, exploited by the sex industry, suffering from mental and physical ill health, and those involved in the criminal justice system. It is also a support programme that empowers women and girls to tell their stories, in a safe environment, of female genital mutilation, honour based violence and forced marriages.
The trust, which is based in Bishop Street, Leicester has been awarded £249,516 from the Big Lottery Fund's women and girls initiative.
Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan, the founder of Zinthiya Trust, said: "We are delighted to have received the funding from the Big Lottery women and girls project that will help us provide specialised holistic support package.
"The funding will be used towards combating female genital mutilation, forced marriage and honour based violence through a range of activities including training for front line workers, raising awareness, providing one-to-one support for survivors and counselling over the next three years.
"The funding will enable us to address the massive need in Leicester, especially at a time when there are massive cuts to women and girls services."
Geeta Gopalan, Big Lottery Fund England committee vice chair and chair of the funding panel for women and girls, said: "Strong evidence from women and girls organisations told us of the increased demand for support, so we've been working closely with them over the past year to identify ways that women of all ages can get the right help, information and a listening ear to take control of their lives.
"We will be working closely with all the projects funded to share the most successful aspects so that other women and girls can continue to benefit in the future. I am delighted that we can use money raised through National Lottery players to go back into the community and help young girls and women most in need."
