Saima Afzal MBE, Executive Member (Equality, Diversity and Human Rights)
Association of Police Authorities (APA)

Saima was born in Pakistan and came to England as a young child with her family. She has lived in Blackburn for most of her life. Saima was raised within a conservative culture of Islam and has personal experience of forced marriage and of working and campaigning against forced marriages.

Saima has a degree in criminology and a diploma in public administration. She has a significant experience of research and community development particularly in relation to religion; gender and South Asian Culture including research on issues such as domestic violence forced marriages, drugs and substance misuse in the South Asian communities.

Saima has been an independent member of Lancashire Police Authority since April 2003; and in November 2007 was appointed as a Member of the Association of Police Authorities Board. Saima was awarded an MBE in the birthday honours in 2010.