Founded in 2002, the All African Women’s Group is a self-help group of asylum and refugee women who have come together across nationality and often different sides of political conflicts to fight for their right to protection in the UK. Many have suffered rape and other torture, most are mothers and most are either completely destitute or living on asylum support benefits which are less than half of what other people on benefits get. Their fortnightly meetings, workshops and the training sessions coordinated by BWRAP and WAR attract over 50 women every week. Legal cases are discussed collectively and the experience of what works and what doesn’t is shared. Women team up to provide practical support such as accompanying each other to court. AAWG campaigns include fighting for mothers to be reunited with their children, against racism, to end destitution and detention, and for housing, healthcare, protection and resources for every woman. Find them on Facebook
STOP PRESS: Emergency Demo Solidarity with Yarl’s Wood hunger strikers 4-5pm, Wed 28 Feb, outside the Home Office, Marsham Street, SW1P 4DF. Called by Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants: co-hosted with All African Women’s Group, Black Women’s Rape Action Project, Docs Not Cops, End Deportations, Right to Remain, SOAS Detainee Support, The London Latinxs, …
Yarl’s Wood: Women on Hunger Strike “Our rights in here are being violated every day” Over 100 women in Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre began a hunger strike on Wednesday 21 February. The women from Avocet and Dove units along with a few men on the family wing are refusing food and are planning further …
LUSH Human Rights Summit February 2018 Performance: We are Here – because You are There Our interactive play has been on tour to Coventry, Sheffield & the DSEI Stop to Arms Fair. Performed by asylum seekers from the All African Women’s Group, it depicts the real life injustices faced by rape survivors and others throughout …
Brigitte Nongo-Wa-Kitwa Family Reunion Appeal Hearing Thanks to all who came to support Brigitte Nongo-Wa-Kitwa’s case to be reunited with her children. The vigil outside court garnered interest and support from passersby and people entering the court building. Over 15 women then went inside to listen to court proceedings, and although there weren’t enough seats …
Ms R (62), a longstanding member of All African Women’s Group, finally won her right to stay in the UK after a 13 year struggle. Ms R left Jamaica in 1990 to escape domestic violence from her partner . . .
Women Speak About Destitution: Read testimonies of the real impact of cruel government policy The British government’s deliberate policy of destitution forces asylum-seeking women into extremely precarious and often dangerous living situations; exposing them to exploitation and violence. Here, women speak about their experiences of destitution in the UK. Melissa I’ve been destitute, when I was …
Find their campaign here
Over 1.25 million people, including 300,000 children, are destitute in Britain. People don’t eat regularly, can’t afford clothes and are dependent on others, sometimes strangers, for a roof over their heads.
Protest and Speak Out “THIS IS A PRISON NOT A HOLIDAY CAMP” International week of actions to close detention centres 15 – 21 June 2015, 12 noon to 2pm: Parliament Square, nearest tube Westminster. CLOSE YARL’S WOOD AND ALL DETENTION CENTRES! Detention without limit – Rape by guards – No healthcare – Mothers separated from their kids – Fast Track decisions …
Evidence to Rashida Manjoo, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women We believe the UK government is flouting its obligations under CEDAW, and future obligations under the Istanbul Convention in relation to Violence Against Women. 1. Refusal to prosecute rapists including violent partners “In the 12 months to March 2013 there were about 10,000 recorded …
