Jasvinder Sanghera started the refuge after the death of her sister

Jasvinder Sanghera has already set up two refuges and a third is due to open at the end of the year.

The Karma Nirvana Refuge on Normanton Road has helped over 50 Asian women.

Ms Sanghera hopes the accolade of Hero of the Month in Marie Claire magazine will further highlight the issues affecting Asian women.

Supply is not meeting demand, we have to open more refuges Jasvinder Sanghera

The inspiration came from her sister, Robina, who killed herself after being caught in a failed forced marriage.

She said: "Robina was my sister, one-and-a-half years older than me. She played a significant part in my life because she committed suicide aged 24.

"She committed suicide because it was the 'better' thing to do than bring shame on the family.

"She went through this and because of that made me want to help other women."

She added: "I think it is great recognition for us and the work we do but there is a lot of work to do, I believe we are scratching the surface.

"Supply is not meeting demand, we have to open more refuges. There needs to be more funding streams pumped into this kind of work because so much more needs to be done.

"Nationally it is on the agenda now but we must not get complacent."

As well as the Derby branch, a shelter has been opened in Stoke and a third is expected to be set up in Burton-on-Trent by the end of the year.