Promoting the rights of women seeking asylum in the UK
Women for Refugee Women works to raise awareness of the injustices experienced by women who seek refuge in the UK. Women who come to the UK fleeing gender-related persecution (such as rape, honour crimes, female genital mutilation, and trafficking for forced prostitution) are too often turned down for asylum.
Campaigning against the detention of children
Over 3,000 people signed the New Statesman petition against the detention of children for immigration purposes, which is being sent to the Home Secretary. Read the story of Jasmine, who was detained for months in Yarl's Wood.
If women are turned down for asylum they are at risk of destitution, detention, and deportation to places where their lives may be at risk. We work in partnership with other organisations to increase understanding of the experiences of women who seek asylum in the UK. We work through briefing journalists, organising events, lobbying policy-makers, and above all by providing a platform for asylum seekers to speak out for themselves about the injustices they experience. These women deserve to be heard.
WAST
Women Asylum Seekers Together (WAST), London, is a self-support group set up and run by women seeking asylum and for women seeking asylum in the UK. Women from any country and in any stage of the asylum system, including failed asylum seekers, are welcome. At WAST we create a safe space where women seeking asylum can support each other and share information and advice. WAST meets once a month. More information about Women Asylum Seekers Together (WAST)
Motherland
In 2008 Women for Refugee Women produced Motherland, a uniquely moving and powerful evening, directed by Juliet Stevenson. Motherland tells the stories of women and children held in Yarl's Wood detention centre. It played at the Young Vic theatre in London in March 2008 and in November 2008 was performed in Parliament to MPs and peers. In spring 2009 it will be performed in Bedford, near to Yarl's Wood detention centre, with the support of the local MPs Alistair Burt and Patrick Hall.
"Intensely memorable... I would not have missed it for the world." Anthony Barnett, The Guardian