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
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 …
We are here because . . . . . . is an inspiring and moving collection of online video and other testimonies, filmed, recorded, edited and produced by Black/women of colour, – many are are active members of All African Women’s Group a self-help group of women asylum seekers. Together with volunteers all the testimonies were …
Why women in Yarl’s Wood went on hunger strike (transcript) M: Some of the hunger strikers said there were meetings of about 20 women who discussed organising it and that they organised across the wings because Avocet started, and women from Bunting and Dove who were working for SERCO selling food noticed no one …
Landmark compensation for torture victim and her family. A mother and her five children have won a precedent-setting, six figure compensation award from the Home Office for abuse and injuries sustained during deportation to Uganda in 2006. Ms A was supported throughout by WAR who found legal representation through Leigh Day & Co. solicitors. During …
Women speak out in Parliament against detention, deportation, privatisation and profiteering 14 January 2010 With recent press coverage shedding light on the devastating impact of detention on children, and the public outrage that followed, it was no surprise that a meeting on the detention of mothers and other vulnerable people in the House of Commons …
Rape survivor from Rwanda in brave fight to help others 21 May 2009 Stella Mpaka, of Women Against Rape, is now helping others to overcome their personal nightmares. Your article (Camden group’s battle to prioritise a heinous crime, H&H April 2) showed some of Women Against Rape’s (WAR) ground breaking work winning justice for rape …
