Today, International Women’s Day, refugee women’s groups and their supporters across the UK gathered to sing in solidarity with refugee women, because we are #SistersNotStrangers.
Actions took place in ten cities:
- London (organised by Women for Refugee Women) – 8 March, 1.30pm, Whitehall Place.
- Manchester (organised by Women Asylum Seekers Together Manchester) – 8 March, 1pm, Piccadilly Gardens.
- Coventry (organised by Coventry Asylum and Refugee Action Group) – 8 March, 1pm, Godiva Statue in Broadgate.
- Cardiff (organised by Oasis Cardiff) – 8 March, 4.30pm, Wales Millennium Centre foyer, Cardiff Bay.
- Edinburgh (organised by DEWA project) – 8 March.
- Sheffield (organised by DEWA project) – 8 March.
- Newcastle (organised by N.E.S.T.) – 8 March, closed event.
- Halifax (organised by Sisters United) – 9 March, 12.45pm, Piece Hall.
- Liverpool (organised by Refugee Women Connect) – closed event.
- Swansea (organised by Swansea Women’s Asylum and Refugee Support Group) – 8 March.
Marchu Girma, deputy director of Women for Refugee Women, said:
“This International Women’s Day, women seeking asylum invited us to sing in solidarity with them across the nation, and help them amplify their voice. At Women for Refugee Women, we have seen how their potential for a new start in life has been swept away from them, and women who have fled rape and violence to seek safety in the UK are being left homeless, hungry and vulnerable to further abuse because of lack of support. These incredibly resilient women are rising up to demand for a just and humane asylum process.”
In London, we joined CARE UK at the #March4Women:
