Strength in Struggle: Accelerating Action for Mental Health & Justice

A Report on Sisters Not Strangers' International Women's Day 2025
Friday 14th March 2025 - Zoom event

Introduction: A Vision Realized

What started as a simple idea, a national event to shed light on the intersection of mental health, justice, and the asylum system, soon grew into something much larger: an international campaign for awareness, action, and solidarity. As the Sisters Not Strangers (SNS) Coalition, we envisioned an event that would not only highlight the lived experiences of asylum-seeking women but also engage advocates, community leaders, and policymakers in meaningful dialogue. Through collective commitment, strategic organization, and powerful storytelling, this vision became a reality.

 

Organising the Event: Commitment, Teamwork & Creativity

From the outset, this event was a testament to collaboration and dedication. The SNS team, worked tirelessly to bring this event to life. Each aspect, from conceptualising the theme to inviting speakers, designing promotional materials, and handling logistics, was executed with passion and professionalism.

We were fortunate to have a committed team who took on roles ranging from moderation to technical support, outreach, and content creation. The creativity displayed in our promotional campaign, particularly the 'Listen to Us' and Maryam’s story films, added a deeply personal and moving dimension to our cause.

 

Event Highlights: A National Event That Became International

The response to our event exceeded all expectations. Initially envisioned as a UK-focused gathering, it evolved into an international discussion, with over 70 participants from across the UK, Ireland, the USA, Europe, and Africa. The diverse participation underscored the global nature of asylum struggles and the shared experiences of resilience and injustice faced by women seeking safety.

 

Key Sessions & Speakers

 

Welcome & 'Listen to Us' Film

The event opened with a warm welcome from Dr Ibtissam Al-Farah, SNS Coordinator, followed by the powerful screening of Listen to Us, a film amplifying the voices of the SNS team.

 

Session 1: Mental Health & The Asylum System

Moderated by Dr Jeni Williams (SNS Member, Swansea), this session brought together expert speakers:

• Angela Argenzo (Politician & Community Activist, Sheffield)

• Jill Duarte (Counsellor, African Community Centre, Swansea)

• Maggy Moyo (Activist, Manchester)

• Sandy Ibrahim (Youth Activist, Swansea)

 

The session delved into the profound mental health impact of the asylum system, addressing systemic barriers, policy failures, and the lack of mental health support for asylum-seeking women.

 

Session 2: Lived Experience in Focus

Moderated by Bridget Walker (SNS member, Birmingham), this session featured first-hand accounts from:

• Mariam Yusuf (SNS Member, Manchester)

• Sweeta Durrani (Women’s Group, Swansea)

 

Their narratives provided an unfiltered insight into the psychological toll of the asylum journey, as well as the long-term impact on mental well-being, even post-status recognition.

 

Films & Personal Reflections

The event also featured two deeply moving films:

• A Poem by an Asylum-Seeking Woman: A raw and emotional artistic expression of resilience, displacement, and hope.

• Maryam’s Journey: A short film chronicling the challenges and triumphs of the women seeking asylum in the UK.

 

Closing & Next Steps

 

The event concluded with a Q&A session and closing remarks from Dr Ibtissam Al-Farah, reaffirming our commitment to ongoing advocacy and collective action. Participants were encouraged to stay connected, engage in future initiatives, and share their feedback.

 

Why This Matters: The Power of Lived Experience & Mental Health Advocacy

 

Mental health remains one of the most overlooked aspects of the asylum process. Women seeking asylum often experience severe psychological distress, exacerbated by uncertainty, prolonged waiting times, hostile policies, and lack of access to support services.

 

This event not only amplified these voices but also demonstrated the power of lived experience in advocacy. It reinforced that policy changes and system improvements must be informed by those who have endured the system firsthand. Sharing lived experience, as emotional as it was, served as both an educational tool and a method to raise public awareness about these critical issues. These perspectives are often overlooked or insufficiently highlighted by professionals working in this sector.

 

 

Lessons Learned & Next Steps: Learning, Growth and Expanding our Reach Our Reach

Since SNS was founded in 2019, we have grown tremendously as a movement. This event reaffirmed the importance of strong teamwork, lived experience leadership, and collective resilience. Moving forward, we aim to:

 

• Strengthen Member Participation: We will explore ways to increase engagement and ensure all SNS members feel empowered to contribute.

• Develop a Skill-Sharing Approach: To advance our skills in public speaking, moderation, advocacy, and event organisation, we will create opportunities for members to learn from one another.

• Expand Future Campaigns & Events: Given the success of this event and based on our action plan, we will have more online and in-person events to meet the growing need for platforms that highlight our voices.

• Amplify Our Advocacy Efforts: We must continue to push for systemic change and ensure asylum-seeking women’s experiences and expertise are heard in decision-making spaces.

• Encourage More SNS Members to Lead: We invite members to step into roles as speakers, moderators, or co-presenters, ensuring that our coalition remains member-led and representative of our diverse experiences.

• Recognise the Power of Storytelling: As difficult as it is to share our lived experiences, doing so not only educates the wider public but also ensures these critical issues gain visibility in policy and practice.

 

Participant Feedback & Key Takeaways

The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with participants expressing gratitude for the safe space to share experiences and the powerful impact of the discussions. Key points from the feedback included:

 

• Appreciation for the diverse voices and lived experience perspectives shared throughout the event.

• Calls for continued dialogue and more frequent SNS-hosted discussions on mental health and justice.

• Requests for more practical solutions and policy-focused advocacy to effect real change.

• Interest in developing a follow-up event or workshop to delve deeper into specific issues raised.

 

The feedback has provided valuable insights for our future initiatives, reaffirming our commitment to creating spaces where the voices of asylum-seeking women are heard, respected, and acted upon.

 

A Heartfelt Thank You

A special thank you goes out to our guest speakers, SNS members, and the participants who engaged so deeply in the discussions. We also express gratitude to our funder and partner organisations who support our work and allow us to continue advocating for justice and dignity.

 

Finally, thank you to everyone who registered, whether you attended or couldn’t make it, your interest in this campaign strengthens our collective fight for justice.

 

Watch the Full Event Recording on YouTube Here

 
Share Your Feedback Here

 

With Gratitude & Solidarity,
Sisters Not Strangers Coalition
sistersnotstrangers@gmail.com