Although women’s rights have come a long way since the Suffragettes, complete equality is still far on the horizon.  In the UK, minority and migrant women are among those who are often overlooked when it comes to policy and decision making processes.

Speaking out together

This is why women from all over the North of England are making their way to Manchester to prove to a Government Minister that they are not invisible. During Black women on the agenda: Connecting black and minority ethnic women to policymakers, over 100 women from minority and migrant women groups will meet with Communities and Local Government Minister Andrew Stunell.   Taking place on Tuesday 17^thJanuary, the women’s groups will propose their solutions to make sure they are truly included in local and national decision making.

One organisation in attendance will be Saheli, based in Moss Side, Manchester.  Saheli offers safe, emergency accommodation for Asian women and children experiencing domestic abuse.

Prya Chopra, Director for Saheli states: “Migrant and minority women’s needs and experiences need to be counted and listened to. Equality cannot be just on paper. Equality is about various components of our society sitting at the same table, sharing equal rights and power and making decisions together about priority issues affecting us all. Women‘s and children‘s safety surely should be a priority“.

Research suggests ‘double invisibility’ of women

Research by Oxfam and Fawcett Society highlights how minority and migrant women are invisible to decision and policy makers.

Julie Jarman, Oxfam UK Poverty Programme Manager, said: “Research consistently shows that the UK’s 2.3 million migrant and minority women face ‘double invisibility’. When they look at gender, policy makers tend often to focus on the experience of white women and not to consider minority and migrant women; and when they look at race, the women’s perspective get ignored”.

The women’s groups have been working together for the last three years under Routes to Solidarity (RTS), a project which is supported by Oxfam and funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government.  RTS has provided training and mentoring programmes to BME women and their organisations, supported networks and forums, and delivered local action and advocacy work. The project has worked with over 200 women from over 70 women’s groups primarily in the North of England.

Yorkshire women’s groups provide support

Another of the groups is Asha from Beeston, Leeds.  Over the years Asha has been offering English language and IT training courses, fashion and design courses in partnership with local colleges and counselling for domestic violence and abuse.  And now they are supporting their users to start a social enterprise- to make the most of their skills.  Zaheda Khanam, manager of Asha, has been with the organisation for over 25 years.  Zaheda said: “I want to tell Andrew Stunell what, with adequate support and training, minority and migrant women can achieve”.

And from Rotheram, will be Zlakha Ahmed.  Zlakha is founder of Apna Haq (’Your rights‘), an organisation which supports migrant and minority women who suffered from domestic violence and abuse.  Zlakha is also campaigning to make sure that minority and migrant women are heard and that their rights are protected when it comes to decision making and national policies. She wants policy makers, starting from Minister Stunell to understand the urgency of it.

Hopefully Minister Stunell will take away from the meeting, not only some inspirational stories, but also the passion and dedication that the women possess, to bring about some real and lasting changes to  policy and decision making processes.

Tags: Apna Haq, Asha, Black women on the agenda, BME women, manchester, migrant women, minority women, MP Andrew Stunell, oxfam north of England, Routes to Solidarity, Saheli, UKPP, women, women's groups

This entry was posted by Lorna McBride on January 16th, 2012 at 1.19 pm and is filed under Oxfam in the North of England, You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.