SAIMA Afzal hopes to make a little bit of history by becoming the first female Asian councillor in the Blackburn with Darwen borough.

Blackburn Labour Party claims that if Ms Afzal is successful in the Corporation Park ward in the local elections on May 6, she would also be the first Asian woman in the North of England to sit on a local council.

Saima, 27, who is Muslim, was born in Pakistan but moved to England when she was just four years old. She lives in Audley, Blackburn.

She attended St Matthew's Primary and Our Lady and St John's High School and is currently studying for an HNC in public administration at Blackburn College.

She has been a member of the Labour Party for 11 years but only recently considered standing for election.

She said: "It is a great honour to be the first Asian woman to be selected to stand as a Labour Party candidate in the Blackburn with Darwen elections. I was very pleased when the Labour Party said they would support me."

She said it was very difficult for Asian women to consider getting involved in politics.

"It is a cultural thing rather than anything to do with religion. It is just not the done thing. I would like to be a role model and let people know that because a woman is doing this it doesn't mean she is out there drinking, philandering or flaunting herself."

Saima, who has a four-year-old son, added: "I hope that people will give me their vote and I really hope to prove myself. I have not just been nominated because I am an Asian woman but because I am capable of doing this."

"I intend to try to be a role model for all women and hopefully make history in the forthcoming elections."

Saima is the niece of Audley ward councillor Salas Kiani and said she wanted to thank all her family and friends for their support. The Labour Party nationally launched Project 99 last year to encourage under-represented groups to become involved in politics in general and the Labour Party in particular.

Pat Maudsley, women's officer for Blackburn Constituency Labour Party, said: "This was a direct appeal to young people, disabled people and women. Although women form just over 50 per cent of the population, they are very under-represented at every level of governance and in Blackburn this is especially true. In particular, Asian women in Blackburn do not have a political voice at all. Saima's prospective victory at the local elections will make a significant impact and hopefully provide a role model for other women within the community to follow."

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