South Asian Heritage Month: The roots and routes of the new CHAB Programme with Meena Kumari

South Asian Heritage month, held annually from July 18 to August 17, marks an important opportunity to celebrate the richness, resilience, and diversity of South Asian communities. This year’s theme, ‘Roots to Routes’, invites reflection on the cultural roots and heritage of South Asian communities, and the personal routes and journeys of those within South Asian communities, which shape identity today. This year’s theme also presents an opportunity to celebrate the vital work of people and organisations within South Asian communities across the domestic abuse sector who are drawing on their roots to pave new routes forwards.  

This South Asian Heritage Month, we were delighted to speak with Meena Kumari, Director of H.O.P.E CIC – an organisation that has been offering high-quality training and consultancy in domestic abuse, sexual violence, and safeguarding since 2008 – and Imran Manzoor, founder of Pegasus Ltd and Breaking the Silence – which offers counselling, training, and consultancy – about the importance of South Asian heritage and culture and how this has informed who they are today, the work that they do, and the development of their new Changing Harmful Attitudes and Behaviours (CHAB) programme. 

The Changing Harmful Attitudes and Behaviours (CHAB) programme – a 20-week, group and one-to-one specialist intervention for those who cause harm within their relationships – is the product of a 2-year co-design process with experts by experience and specialist by-and-for organisations as part of the Drive Partnership’s National Systems Change work, and is being delivered by H.O.P.E CIC, Sikh Women’s Aid, Halo, and Pegasus Ltd across Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland and Bradford. 

Please find our interview with Meena Kumari below, and keep an eye out for our interview with Imran Manzoor later this week! 

Meena Kumari, Director, H.O.P.E CIC 

My South Asian heritage has been fundamental in shaping both my identity and my professional mission. Growing up understanding the complexities of cultural expectations, family dynamics, and the intersection of tradition with modern life gave me firsthand insight into the unique challenges faced by South Asian communities, particularly around issues of domestic abuse, honour-based violence, and forced marriages.  

When I established H.O.P.E (Helping Other People Everyday) in 2008, it was precisely because I recognized the gaps in mainstream services for South Asian communities. My roots taught me that addressing domestic abuse and sexual violence requires cultural competency – understanding concepts like izzat (honour), family structures, and the specific barriers that prevent South Asian women from seeking help. This lived understanding of cultural nuances has been essential in developing effective, trauma-informed training that resonates with both professionals and the communities they serve.  

My heritage also instilled in me a deep sense of service and advocacy. The concept of helping others everyday – which forms the foundation of H.O.P.E – comes from values deeply rooted in South Asian culture about community responsibility and supporting those who are vulnerable.  

Carrying multiple cultural identities means being a bridge between worlds – understanding the beauty and complexity of South Asian traditions while also navigating British society and professional spaces. This duality has been both challenging and incredibly enriching for my work.  

My multiple identities allow me to code-switch effectively, connecting with South Asian communities in culturally appropriate ways while also challenging systems and structures in predominantly white professional spaces. When I’m delivering training on forced marriages or honour-based abuse, I can speak from a place of authentic understanding while also translating these experiences for professionals who may not have this cultural knowledge. This multiplicity also means I understand intersectionality viscerally – how being South Asian, a woman, and working in predominantly white spaces creates unique challenges and opportunities. This understanding has been crucial in developing the CHAB programme, in which we create culturally sensitive spaces that acknowledge how cultural influences impact behaviour while never excusing abuse.  

My work during COVID-19 with the H.O.P.E Calls brought together Black, Asian, and other minoritised communities precisely because I understood how multiple identities create both shared experiences and unique challenges. This intersectional approach has made our interventions more effective and inclusive.  

The CHAB programme represents a fundamental shift in how we approach domestic abuse interventions within South Asian communities. By designing a programme specifically for South Asian heritage communities – including those with ancestry from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives – we’re acknowledging that cultural context matters in addressing harmful behaviours.  

When community members see that we understand concepts like family honour, arranged marriages, extended family dynamics, and the role of community reputation, they feel seen rather than judged. The programme creates a safe space where cultural influences can be explored without shame, while still holding people accountable for their actions. Our approach respects the richness of South Asian cultures while challenging harmful practices. We don’t dismiss cultural traditions; instead, we help participants understand how cultural pressures might contribute to controlling behaviours while teaching healthy ways to navigate these cultural expectations.  

By working with partners like Sikh Women’s Aid and the Halo Project, we ensure that support is culturally competent and linguistically appropriate. This comprehensive approach shows the community that we’re not asking them to abandon their identity – we’re helping them become the best version of themselves within their cultural context.  

I’m most proud of the collaborative approach we’ve taken with the CHAB programme. This wasn’t developed in isolation – it emerged from two years of co-design work with community members, survivors, and by-and-for organisations. The programme represents genuine partnership between H.O.P.E CIC, Sikh Women’s Aid, Halo Project, and Pegasus Ltd.  

What makes me particularly proud is how we’ve created a programme that acknowledges the complexity of domestic abuse within South Asian communities without pathologising our culture. We’ve managed to develop interventions that are both culturally sensitive and uncompromisingly focused on safety and accountability. The integrated support services for partners, ex-partners, and family members is something that I’m especially proud of. We recognised that addressing domestic abuse isn’t just about working with perpetrators – it’s about supporting entire family systems and communities. This holistic approach reflects our understanding that in South Asian communities, abuse often involves extended family and community dynamics. I’m also proud that this programme has been recognised nationally as part of the Drive Partnership’s specialist responses to domestic abuse. This recognition validates our approach and hopefully will lead to more culturally competent services being developed across the UK.

My vision for future generations is that South Asian young people will grow up in communities where domestic abuse is neither tolerated nor hidden, where seeking help is seen as courageous rather than shameful, and where cultural identity is a source of strength rather than a barrier to safety. I hope the CHAB programme and our broader work at H.O.P.E will contribute to changing harmful attitudes and behaviours within our communities. I want young South Asian people to understand that respect, equality, and non-violence are not Western concepts imposed on our culture – they are universal human rights that can be fully embraced within South Asian cultural contexts. Through our H.O.P.E Digital Art Project, which celebrated 100 Black and Brown women in the domestic abuse and sexual violence sector, I hope we’ve shown young people that they can be both proud of their heritage and agents of change within their communities.  

I envision a future where South Asian communities have robust support systems, where families have open conversations about healthy relationships, and where cultural practices evolve to fully embrace equality and respect. I want future generations to inherit communities where seeking help is normalised, where survivors are supported without judgment, and where cultural identity strengthens rather than silences voices. Ultimately, my hope is that through this work, we’re creating a legacy where South Asian communities are safer, more equitable, and more supportive – while remaining richly connected to our cultural heritage and values of community, family, and service to others.  

Cultural heritage and identity shape not only where people come from, but how they experience and respond to harm. In order to truly turn the tide on domestic abuse, we must ensure that the responses to those causing harm reflect the realities of the communities that they serve. As South Asian Heritage Month draws to a close, we celebrate the richness of South Asian culture and heritage, the ongoing work towards a safer future for victim-survivors of domestic abuse, and the incredible individuals and organisations who are driving that change every day.