18 July is Mandela Day – a day to inspire and encourage people to take action to change the world for the better – and to empower communities everywhere.
Scottish Refugee Council is very proud that Nelson Mandela is one of our patrons. To celebrate International Mandela Day, we asked one of the refugee women working hard to bring about change in the spirit of Mr Mandela. She tell us how and why she does it.
My name is Patricia and I’m member of the Refugee Women’s Strategy Group. Before I joined other refugee and asylum seeking women working to tackle issues impacting on their lives in Scotland, I was involved with a Framework for Dialogue group in my community in Glasgow, Karibu African Women’s Group and the local Congolese Association.
Connecting with the community – raising awareness
Contributing to the community has been a way to learn about life in Glasgow, get support and voice my concerns. I’ve been to schools and talked about why asylum seekers are here in Glasgow. The experience has been really successful.
The media often presents a negative image of asylum seekers and people don’t know the truth. Children asked me questions like ‘do you have a watch in your country’ and ‘do you have a TV’. They just didn’t know. In the childcare course I’m doing, I’ve been able to tell my class about destitution – and they have been shocked. They were also surprised to learn that I was a paediatric nurse back home.
Overcoming barriers and encouraging one another
I chose to be part of the Refugee Women’s Strategy Group because it gives a voice and influence to women. As women we are sometimes discriminated against and there are many barriers we need to overcome. It has also been an opportunity to meet new people and improve my English. Having a group helps as they are welcoming and it shows you that you are not alone.
As part of the RWSG, I’ve been involved in a lot of different activities. I’ve been able to meet MSP Claudia Beamish at the Scottish Parliament to talk about refugee women and unemployment (PDF) and recently I met with the UK Border Agency to discuss gender sensitivity in the asylum process. In March, I represented the group at the Red Cross International Women’s Day Conference in Manchester. I’ve also appeared on BBC and Sunny Govan Radio and I spoke about my own personal experience of destitution at Scottish Refugee Council’s Annual General Meeting in January.
Only the beginning – building hope
When a friend asked me why I’m still involved with the RWSG despite my asylum ordeal being over I told her that this is not the end. The asylum process is finished for me but there are people coming behind us… so we have to continue the fight. We need to fight for those women without confidence – it gives them hope.
When people first arrive they are scared and shy, but I want people to see that if I can do it then they can do it too. Don’t be scared, don’t be shy, no one will laugh at you. If you don’t speak up about problems, then people won’t know and change can’t happen. This is your right. We need to give feedback and to raise our voices because this is how change happens.
