55 Fighting for social justice with Iffat Shahnaz

Iffat Shahnaz is a lifelong campaigner committed to social justice and equality. She works with organisations committed to social change and tackling social exclusion and discrimination. She specialises in gender-based violence, community education, facilitation, service development and change management. We talk about: How Iffat became so passionate about social justice The legacy of her parents and their story as children of partition Being the child of immigrants from the former commonwealth The family trauma that lead to Iffat wanting to make the world a better place for everyone Going back to her parents’ village in India The lack of safe passage when people are facing displacement, at the time of partition and now Why her father was so keen that she should learn to swim How the family managed to get to England from Pakistan Racial abuse growing up in the West Midlands in school and on the street Feeling hopeful despite systemic discrimination The impact of Covid and the Black Lives Matter movement on global awareness of discrimination Getting more aware of what is going on and the importance of speaking up Confronting racism wherever we find it The importance of being anti-racist instead of just not racist Acknowledging that we are different and that being colour-blind just doesn’t work Understanding racism in the UK and how it differs to the US ‘Good’ and ‘bad’ immigrants The more insidious nature of racism in the UK today How Covid has highlighted so many social justice-related and inequality issues The disproportionate impact of Covid on BAME (Black and minority ethnic) communities How Iffat feels about turning 50 this year Growing our own wisdom as we age and having more of an impact on society as we get older And more! Find out more about Iffat: Linkedin and Twitter If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave a review on iTunes or wherever you’re listening. Find out how to leave a review here: bit.ly/leavepodcastreview You can find out more information and get the show notes to every episode at magnificentmidlife.com. That’s also where you’ll find strategies, support and resources to help make your midlife magnificent. There’s a midlife wellness program, courses, midlife mentoring to help make the most of your next chapter and our online Members Club. If not now, when?

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Midlife isn’t the end of meaningful life, just the end of the first half rehearsal. Listen, laugh and be inspired as Rachel Lankester, author, mentor and founder of Magnificent Midlife, interviews women in midlife and beyond living authentic, empowered lives, not disappearing into obscurity. From round the world yachtswomen to 60 year old pole dancers, from palliative care doctors to sustainable food evangelists, this podcast explores the myriad things older women get up to and the issues we face. We challenge the status quo and bash those negative stereotypes about being an older woman. Need some inspiration about what’s possible for you when you're over 40, over 50 or beyond? These women will show you anything is. Need help overcoming your own limiting beliefs about getting older or struggles with menopause? Learn from women who’ve experienced the same but found ways to thrive and become who they were always meant to be. Learn their life-hacks and how they do what they do. This podcast is all about celebrating women in midlife and beyond. We’re not over the hill or on a downward slope. We get better with age not worse. We talk all things midlife, about issues that matter, and share fabulous stories of magnificent women doing very cool stuff. Now's our time! Find out more at magnificentmidlife.com.