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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

After an engaging discussion with thoughtful reflections, it was a wrap.

Last night showed what’s possible when voices unite.

But let’s be clear: unless government acts, Black, minoritised, and migrant women will remain at risk.

We won’t stop until ALL women are safe.

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

The roundtable then opened for discussion:

How do we tackle the epidemic of VAWG?

And how can government ensure ALL women are included in its strategy?

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

Learn more about @4refugeewomen.bsky.social and their vital work: www.refugeewomen.co.uk/welcome-ever....

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Women for Refugee Women : Sign Our Pledge

Join our strong, compassionate community standing in solidarity with refugee women, and join our campaign to change the UK asylum process.

www.refugeewomen.co.uk

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

👉 Alternatives to detention, moving towards ending it altogether
👉 Right to work for asylum seekers and dependents

These reforms would protect women, ease Home Office pressures, and strengthen the VAWG strategy.

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

Andrea called for reforms to protect refugee women:
👉 Fair and timely asylum decisions
👉 Safe, community-based housing

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

Any government serious about ending VAWG must include ALL women.

Excluding refugee women creates a two-tier system where some lives are treated as less deserving.

That is unconscionable.

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

These harms aren’t accidents – they are features of the UK asylum process.

And they put refugee women at risk of further abuse.

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

Next, Andrea Vukovic, Co-Director @4refugeewomen.bsky.social.

Most women seeking safety in the UK are victim-survivors of violence.

But the asylum system retraumatises them: detention, unsafe hotels, destitution, work bans.

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

These demands must be in the government's VAWG strategy.

Learn more about our pioneering work here: southallblacksisters.org.uk.

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Home - Southall Black Sisters

Originally set up in 1979, Southall Black Sisters (SBS) has established itself as an iconic organisation based in West London, but with a national reach and reputation for its landmark legal intervent...

southallblacksisters.org.uk

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

Sanskriti closed with urgency: specialist ‘by and for’ services save lives – and could save the state £127m nationally.

Funding us is not an optional extra. It’s essential.

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

With 70% of our cases involving ‘honour’-based abuse, women are too often ignored due to racism or fear of ‘cultural sensitivity.’

We call for Banaz’s Law:
⚖️ Recognise ‘honour’ as an aggravating factor in sentencing
⚖️ Guidance to drive systemic change

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

She also highlighted how statutory agencies treat Black, minoritised, and migrant women: disbelief, racist stereotypes, lack of culturally competent support, and fear of Immigration Enforcement.

This systemic bias keeps women silent and trapped.

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

Sanskriti exposed the two-tier discrimination migrant women face.

She called for:
👉 Access to public funds
👉 Secure immigration status

Because safety must always come before immigration control.

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

Then Sanskriti Sanghi, Policy Manager, SBS, took the floor.

Over 60% of our service users are migrant women with NRPF.

They face a cruel choice: stay trapped in abuse - or risk destitution and deportation.

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

Learn more about @lawrsuk.bsky.social and their lifesaving work: lawrs.org.uk.

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LAWRS - Latin American Women's Rights Service

LAWRS offers free and confidential services for all Latin American women in the UK - defending the rights of migrant women for over 35 years.

lawrs.org.uk

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

She urged the government to build a full firewall between statutory agencies and Immigration Enforcement, and to invest in women’s safety, not surveillance.

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

She showed how data-sharing between police, statutory agencies, and Immigration Enforcement fuels fear of detention and deportation - blocking migrant women’s access to safety.

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

Next up: Gisela Valle, Director @lawrsuk.bsky.social.

Gisela laid bare the dire consequences of hostile immigration policies on migrant women facing VAWG.

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

Selma underlined the strength of SBS, @lawrsuk.bsky.social, and @4refugeewomen.bsky.social's advocacy.

She called on government to:
👉 Confront divisive narratives
👉 Listen to women’s voices
👉 Invest in protection for Black, minoritised, and migrant women

Collaboration must be real, not token.

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

Selma Taha, Executive Director, SBS, set the scene.

She spoke to the urgency of this moment: a hostile climate of racist, anti-immigrant rhetoric and myths that put women and girls at greater risk.

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

Our discussion centred on how inequalities like institutional racism and the NRPF rule leave women exposed to abuse.

We called for these realities to be addressed in the government's VAWG strategy - with lived experience and ‘by and for’ expertise at the heart.

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 8d

Last night at Labour Party Conference, we co-hosted a roundtable with @lawrsuk.bsky.social and @4refugeewomen.bsky.social.

We highlighted the barriers Black, minoritised, and migrant women face in accessing safety and support - and called for urgent reform.

Here’s a look back 👇
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Poster for a Labour Party Conference roundtable on 29th September titled “Erased from the Equation? Black, Minoritised, and Migrant Women and the Government’s VAWG Mission”. Event is 18:30–19:30 at ECL, Youth & Skills on the Deck, Cityside Boardroom, invitation only. Background shows a black-and-white photo of a protest.

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 9d

🚨 We're hiring!

Join SBS as a Senior Immigration Solicitor leading on complex cases & legal interventions for Black, minoritised, & migrant women facing violence.

💼 £55-60k | 📝 Apply by 31 Oct | 🗓️ Interviews 6-7 Nov

southallblacksisters.org.uk/get-involved...

Work with us - Southall Black Sisters

We have secured critical reforms that have advanced the cause of gender equality, justice, and human rights for Black and minoritised women through our advocacy, advice, policy and lobbying work - but...

southallblacksisters.org.uk

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 9d

Last night, our Director, @selmataha8.bsky.social, joined others in stressing the need for a whole-system approach to tackling VAWG.

She called for an end to two-tier discrimination and urged the government to centre Black, minoritised, and migrant women in both policy and funding decisions. 2/2

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sbsisters.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social · 9d

This week, we’re at the Labour Party Conference.

As part of a coalition of specialist organisations, we’re calling on the government to make ending VAWG a political priority - not just for some, but for all. 1/2 #VAWGTakeover

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