by Eurem, Bristol Women’s Voice Volunteer
The Inspiring Women Series welcomed renowned journalist, broadcaster, and activist Pamela Nova for an unforgettable evening of storytelling and reflection.
Born in West London, Pamela has lived a life marked by courage, reinvention, and fearless truth-telling. From reporting on sex work in Thailand to living in India and then Malaysia for almost two decades, her journey is one of deep insight and resilience — especially for women and non-binary individuals navigating uncertain spaces.
A journey through Asia
Pamela began her journalism career in the UK, freelancing for The Guardian, The Times and The Observer Magazine. Initially writing on health, women’s issues and the environment, she then focused on investigative journalism in India, Thailand, Bangladesh and Indonesia, including stories on prostituted women and children in Thailand, female infanticide in India and Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
While living in India she reported on survivors of the South Asian tsunami, and made short documentaries, including Road to the Future about the rich poor gap, sharing the shock of seeing women working construction jobs in extreme heat, carrying eight bricks on their heads while walking up rickety wooden ladders in broken flip flops, highlighting the often invisible struggles of women in the Global Majority.
A standout moment in Thailand was her time with Hill Tribe communities near the Thai-Burmese border, where she investigated the trafficking of girls, many unknowingly sold by their families and met a man who launched the Daughter’s Education Project to combat the issue.
In Bangladesh, she visited a village supported by a birthing kit initiative. Despite the formal presence of male NGO officials, it was the simple, low-cost kits, plastic sheets, antiseptic, and razors that made a tangible difference.
She voiced concerns about the performative nature of some aid efforts, praising instead the quiet strength of local midwives.
Her documentaries include the award winning Let Her Die (with the BBC) about the horrific reality of female infanticide in India, and Climate Change? No Thanks! in which she contrasted the startlingly different views of mango famers and tourists in Tamil Nadu on catastrophic climate breakdown.
Travelling solo by mainly by bike and public transport, Pamela gained a firsthand understanding of the vulnerability and strength required of Global Majority women as they battle with dignity, determination and steely grace to survive on a daily basis.
Learnings on the road
Having lived abroad for many years, Pamela returned to the UK in 2018. Her time overseas was filled with both cultural and personal challenges and huge learnings.
She humorously shared the trauma of bringing her four Indian cats to Malaysia when mystified officials kept repeating ‘Why you want bring four cats?’ and it was only the intervention of animal advocate and sister in law of former Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, Maneka Gandhi that enabled Pamela, Pinkie, Pimi, Bob and Liz to start their new lives together in Penang, Malaysia…which was where she also made the life changing decision to become vegan.
Pamela also reflected on identity, safety, and belonging. She emphasised that true understanding doesn’t come from sightseeing or ‘expat mingles’, but from paying rent and utility bills and talking with local people in villages, temples and their homes.
Her stories illustrate the emotional and ethical complexity of working abroad as a woman, and the importance of resilience, adaptability, and having a “Plan B.”
Pamela’s talk was an inspiring and empowering experience for attendees. Pamela’s latest reincarnation is as a presenter with community radio station BCfm, where she shares her thoughts on resilience, climate breakdown, cats, animal rights and veganism.
You can follow Pamela Nova on Facebook here.
Find our next Inspiring Women Talks here.
