Henna Rai

I was born into a household that was actively involved in local politics and tackling of local issues from their move to England in the early 70’s. My Father was an active campaigner for the Conservatives, and I would accompany him during local political hustings and debates regularly. Thus, political and social activism had left an indelible mark on my psyche.
During my school college and later student years, I became an active member of the Labour party and continued to work locally as a youth representative, with my then MP, the late Jim Marshall. Together with Jim Marshall, I actively worked to better the area of Highfields, Leicester by working hard with local activists’ to removing drugs and prostitution from the streets, better lighting, more police patrol and so on. During this time, I was also completing via correspondence, my MPhil in Sanskrit and Urdu classical Literature from Aligarh Muslim University, India for which I received Distinction with gold medal Honours. (1992-94).
In addition to the above I gained a diploma in North Indian Classical performing arts [Vocals and kathak] with distinction from Sampa Academy Leicester. (1993-1999)
Following my degree in Sociology, I began working with the local community television channel focusing on interfaith dialogue and community cohesion, working closely with Leicester Council of Faiths. During this time, I began to work in PR and Media campaign management for the Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, and the infamous Robert Kilroy Silk.
I moved temporarily to India in 2006, to work within the Indian film industry for approximately 24 months. My work varied from acting in regional Bollywood films to presenting segments on th national news channel Aaj Tak in English Whilst in Mumbai, I was actively involved in working with local NGO’s Drishtikon, and Shakti Swabhimaan, in Mumbai. The main work of the NGO’s was to support victims of the sex trafficking trade who had contracted HIV and were facing isolation and ostracism. My role included empowerment of young children and their mothers through skills development and education, offering them greater choices in life and effectively, another chance to survive. We were also responsible for the drugs rehabilitation program of Mumbai’s street children and equality in society for the 3rd gender. (Eunuchs of Mumbai).
Following my return to England in 2008-2010, I began working in theology and research with the University of Cambridge and began my PhD on comparative Theology I soon began to feel the need to be involved in local issues and community in Birmingham. I established Kaleidoscope Arts to focus on interfaith relations and expressions of spirituality through performing and visual arts. I have been actively involved as an expert commentator speaking on issues of violent extremism and radicalisation of young people through television appearances on various satellite channel and BBC Asian Network radio. As a natural organic progression, I become to look into setting up my own organisation to tackle the issues I felt contributed toward the vulnerabilities of becoming radicalized in women and young people.
In May 2015, I stood for the General Elections as an Independent Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the constituency of Edgbaston. I managed to gain a great deal of popularity and support from the local schools and religious centers due to the strong stance I showed against radicalisation and what my understanding of religious cohesion and gender equality should be.
Post General election, I have returned my focus to the issues of safeguarding Young people and tackling radicalisation in communities through my voluntary involvement and support of various Counter Extremism initiatives such as the West Midlands police CTU initiative: Our Families Our Future, Preventing Tragedies and so on. I have launched my own organisation; Women Against Radicalisation Network which will be working at grassroots engagement empowering engaging and educating women who may be at risk whilst providing safeguarding for families against radicalisation. Prior to this, I was the official Media spokesperson for the Home Office based Open Your Eyes Campaign against ISIS for which I regularly provided media interviews and written articles. This campaign was launched to provide a platform from which victims’ of Daesh Atrocities could safely share their experiences and the harsh diabolical realities of living under Daesh occupation. It was through Open your eyes and the work I do with Amar foundation, many people were made aware of the sexual exploitation and enslavement Daesh carried out of young Yazidi girls an addition to this, I am involved in various local initiatives working on Interfaith and Intrafaith cohesion, gender equality and opportunities. This work is now continued with greater depth through WARN.
At Warn I work extensively to address issues such as Mental health Well Being, sexual exploitation, grooming, Domestic abuse Honour based violence, Gender equality and misogyny by providing a safe space to discuss how these may contribute towards vulnerabilities and critically question and comprehend radicalism and ensure women are Engaged, Educated and Empowered as the sole objective.
I have worked extensively and closely with the Office of Security and Counter Terrorism [Home Office] and with the Prime Minister’s Office Downing Street. I have advised both David Cameron during his term as well as Theresa May during her tenure as Home Secretary as well as more recently as Prime Minister.
Due to my experience and knowledge of political and social issues, I have frequently appeared as a guest on mainstream television such as BBC Daily Politics, Newsnight, The Big Question, Sunday Morning Live ITV News, and Channel 4 News and so on.
I have been a panelist for the BBC Asian Network The Big Debate”. on numerous occasions as well as featuring as an expert speaker for BBC Radio 4 The Women’s Hour, BBC Radio 5 Live and local BBC radio stations
I am fortunate to have forged great links with various high profile ministers and international level celebrities who would be accessible to me.
The advantage of being a local activist is I am in touch with communities at grassroots level with an in depth understanding of issues that affect them. This helps me address topics during debates and discussions with either politicians or journalists head on.