Payzee Mahmod

Payzee Mahmod is a survivor and activist tackling gender based violence. As a British Kurd with lived experience, she is a passionate advocate and campaigner raising awareness about harmful practices including child marriage, FGM, virginity testing and hymenoplasty.

In addition to her own lived-experience, Payzee Mahmod also suffered the loss of her sister in a so-called “honour killing”. Her story is not unique and is the reality experienced by millions of girls around the world.

After being forced into a child marriage aged 16, Payzee lead the 3 year long campaign to change the legal age of marriage from 16 to 18, in England and Wales (Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Bill, 2023).

Payzee has regularly appeared in national media both nationally and globally, and her petition to urge the government to criminalise all form of child marriage received a quarter of a million signatures.

Since making worldwide news, Payzee now uses her platform to spread awareness on “honour” based abuse, child marriage and promoting the importance of gender inclusion and raising money for good causes.

Payzee is regularly called upon to share her experiences and expertise nationally and internationally, with government, academics, media and professionals and she is a member of Girls Not Brides Advisory Committee and sits on several Boards.

As a seasoned speaker who empowers women to stand up for their rights, her eye-opening talks are both inspiring and impactful. Using her personal accounts to support great change, Payzee shares actionable strategies with corporate audiences to improve awareness and policy making in professional environments.

Payzee Mahmod has delivered TEDx talks and her first talk ‘A Survivor’s Plea to end Child Marriage’ has been viewed more than a million times.

Contact Great British Speakers today to book inspirational survivor and campaigner against gender based violence Payzee Mahmod for your next event.

Type Of Talent

DiversityEducationEquality, Diversity & InclusionFemale SpeakersInfluencerInternational Women's DayLeadership & TeamworkParentingSpeakerWomen's Health

More About Payzee Mahmod

With a lifelong mission to ensure that all children are protected against the harms of child marriage, Payzee Mahmod now works with IKWRO (Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation) and other NGOs to bring these topics to the forefront and help break down the barriers and taboos.

By speaking out boldly against these taboo topics, Payzee has broken the silence and empowers crucial conversations and actions to reject violence against women and girls, tackling cultural relativism, racism and discrimination including from government policies.

Payzee Mahmod British Kurd gender based violence child marriage FGM trafficking Tedx Speaker at agent Great British Speakers

Payzee Awards and Recognition

For her impactful advocacy work Payzee Mahmod was named UK Parliament Volunteer of the Year 2021 and was also celebrated with special recognition at the UN Women UK Awards 2020. In 2022 Payzee was selected to take part in a 6 months programme with The Obama Foundation’s Europe Leaders Programme.

Payzee Mahmod | Training and Advice Services

As well as advocating for and supporting women and girls directly, Payzee offers advice and training for professionals from the statutory and voluntary sectors, including; schools and all education providers, police, social services, healthcare providers and housing services to better understand the needs of the women and girls from MENA communities, the types of abuse they experience and to provide best practice and support services.

Supporting schools and colleges, Payzee provides workshops to students on healthy relationships and harmful practices to try to combat abuse within families and future relationships by raising awareness on these issues and ensuring all students know how to stay safe if they or others are at risk.

She has also taken part in Oxford University’s ‘Story Night’ lectures to share her own lived experience and to inspire others to story tell.

Payzee can provide bespoke training sessions tailored to the needs of organisations, on the harmful practices of “honour” based abuse, forced marriage, child marriage, female genital mutilation and domestic abuse. Organisations and professionals can have an increased understanding of harmful practices, as well as be able to identify the signs and symptoms, be confident in responding and have an increased knowledge of support available in responding to any cases of harmful practices.

Payzee Mahmod | Speaking Topics

Payzee can tailor her talks for individual organisations and their audiences but can include the following topics.

Gender Equality
Female Genital Mutilation
Violence Against Women and Girls
Forced and Child Marriage
Harmful Practises
Intergenerational
Empowerment
Domestic Abuse
Toxic masculinity
Rape culture
Resilience
BAME
Motivational
Diversity
Mental Health
Storytelling

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book inspirational survivor and global campaigner against gender based violence Payzee Mahmod to speak at your next event. Contact us.

Testimonials

“On belief of the Rochdale Borough Safeguarding Adults Board and Children Partnership, I would like to express my sincere thanks for your participation and powerful and thought provoking contribution at our recent honour based abuse and violence campaign launch.

It is not easy to raise the profile of honour based abuse and violence, yet your personal story really brought home to me and to the audience, the impact such practices can have on people’s lives.

I am sure your words and experiences, together with the messages and training we share as part of our wider campaign, will have the positive effect of helping equip practitioners to challenge the practices of honour based abuse and violence and empower victims to follow your example and become survivors, through the ability to choose a life free of abuse and violence.”

Amanda Clarke, Independent Chair

Rochdale Borough Safeguarding Adults Board and Children Partnership