The human rights campaigner, social politician, community activist and author, Zerbanoo Gifford, has recently been named International Woman of the Year, for her humanitarian work and campaigning efforts.

Zerbanoo, which means ‘Golden Lady’ in ancient Persian, said that: ‘Winning awards helps to validate one’s vision and work, and encourage one to continue in the struggle for a fairer and kinder world. Nothing is inevitable in life and certainly not the tragic lives that millions endure in poverty around the world. There is now an international movement to confront greed, mindless violence, the exploitation of others and issues surrounding our environment.’

As founding director of the ASHA Foundation, Zerbanoo has launched the ASHA Centre, in the Forest of Dean. The house and grounds enable groups to meet, train and reflect in an environment of outstanding and natural beauty. With the particular aim to further communicate between cultures and beliefs, ASHA offers a meeting venue for many charitable organisations and in-house courses. Emphasis is placed on the needs of young people in order to foster social responsibility and provide opportuni-ties to work and experience the land.

The ASHA Foundation has also acquired ASHA House in Coventry, the City of Peace and Reconciliation, to further the work of charity group, Minorities of Europe. Young people throughout the continent will now be able to use the facilities, when they attend training programmes on intercultural understanding and peace.

Zerbanoo is known as the woman who gets things done, tirelessly networking to link up individuals and organisations. She has also made two television programmes for Channel 5 on the plight of street children and, after a National Appeal, she helped rebuild a home for street children in Mumbai, run by the Catholic Church.

In 2004 Zerbanoo was awarded a National Fellowship from NESTA, the National Endowment of Science, Technology and Arts. Her fellowship includes connecting influential and inspiring women worldwide to see if they can, quite literally, change the world. During the last few years, she has travelled extensively, meeting over 300 of the world’s most inspirational women. Zerbanoo has put together a compelling website profiling them and has initiated a mentoring scheme for young people to get involved in international humanitarian projects.

Contact: www​.asha​-foundation​.org Click: Inspirational Women

Photo: Zerbanoo Gifford