“I hate the word victim. And I don’t even like the word survivor. I’m not a mere survivor - I’m an agent of change.” Amira Taha speaks calmly but fiercely, with the energy and poise of a woman who has not only come through great pain, but through it has found an understanding of herself far beyond her past.
She is gentle, and emphasises kindness, but equally quietly steely. And these are all qualities that you can see in her portrait, taken by celebrated photographer Allie Crewe, as part of her project ‘I Am’, which shines a light on those who have experienced Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in their lifetimes. READ MORE: 'Kind, generous and family orientated': Tributes paid to beloved former Salford councillor after heart attack Amira is an accomplished professional, working both as a welfare rights officer at Salford City Council and an International Development Consultant.
She was born and raised in Egypt, but left to do her graduate studies in the UK, worked internationally, and returned once again to the UK, where she has lived ever since.
She has also experienced IPV through emotional and mental abuse at the hands of a previous partner. Amira’s portrait is one of the dozen from the project that is being publicly displayed in Metrolink stations across Greater Manchester over the month of May - something she is understandably nervous about. “It's a weird thing.
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