Migrant Women Press

"As the year comes to a close, we’re excited to share our Year in Review – a look back at the highlights, milestones, and memories that made this year unforgettable. 🗓️✨ We’re taking a well-deserved break to recharge and reflect, and we want to wish everyone a joyful festive season - for those who celebrate - and a happy new year! 🎄🌟 Thank you to everyone who was part of our journey this year. Looking ahead to new opportunities and even greater accomplishments in the coming year. 🚀" https://lnkd.in/dCRhPZ-n

🗣Wrapping Up 16 Days, Continuing the Fight On this Human Rights Day, our campaign draws to a close, but our commitment to ending gender-based violence continues with even greater strength. Over the past 16 days, 16 migrant and ethnically diverse women journalists and writers came together to discuss the profound impact of gender-based violence on their communities and explored actions to address it. 💬🌍 🙌🏾 This campaign was powered by the support of our incredible partner organisations. Their vital work continues to lead the charge against gender-based violence, and we were honoured to amplify their efforts. Some of these organisations also shared impactful stories that shed light on key issues and showcase actions driving meaningful change. As part of our campaign, we hosted essential training sessions to guide journalists in reporting on gender-based violence with sensitivity and responsibility and emphasised the importance of thoughtful and accurate storytelling. In addition, we delivered a Trauma Reporting Workshop to equip journalists with the tools to navigate these challenging topics with care, compassion, and precision. Participants also learned strategies to care about their mental health and well-being while covering emotionally demanding stories. Our campaign aimed at fostering a more informed, ethical, and resilient media landscape to better amplify victims/survivors' voices and bring the underreported experiences of migrant and ethnically diverse women to the forefront. Violation against women is a human rights violation. We are committed to keeping this conversation alive and driving awareness every step of the way. A heartfelt THANK YOU to all the journalists, writers, editors, partners, and our supportive community who made this campaign possible. Your dedication has been invaluable in shedding light on underreported stories. 📖 Missed the stories? Visit our website to catch up, and stay tuned for more impactful narratives: www.migrantwomenpress.com

Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie Speaks Truth About Gender-Based Violence As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the MWP Literature section shines a light on Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie. This powerful novel follows the lives of two cousins in Ghana whose paths diverge but remain intertwined by their shared experiences with gender-based violence. Through their stories, Nightbloom brings to life the resilience of women and the bonds that hold them together even in the face of profound challenges. Read our full review and join the conversation about how literature can be a tool for raising awareness and driving change. www.migrantwomenpress.com

🩸Transforming Lives Through Menstrual Equity Over 500 million young women and girls worldwide struggle every day to manage their menstrual health. The lack of access to period products, education, and safe facilities creates barriers that prevent their full participation in school, work, and daily life. This is why Miura Lima founded @minamualanon (“Our Menstruation” in Sao Tome and Principe Creole), a powerful initiative aimed at ending menstrual poverty. As Miura shared, "As a migrant woman, my aim is to address these issues in my home country (Sao Tome and Principe) while also supporting local activism where I currently live (Scotland)." Her work is a beacon of hope, tackling systemic inequality and empowering communities through education, resources, and advocacy. Read Miura’s full story and learn how you can support the fight against menstrual poverty on our website: www.migrantwomenpress.com 📷Stephen Tettey Atsu at @Unsplash

✨Turning Pain into Purpose ✨ Meet Amaranta*, a survivor who refused to let the shadows of her past define her future. After enduring the profound pain of childhood abuse, she found a way to transform her wounds into wisdom and her silence into strength. Amaranta’s journey hasn’t been easy, but through resilience and determination, she discovered her voice — not just to heal herself but to inspire and uplift others who have faced similar struggles. Today, she dedicates her life to creating hope for those who feel lost, proving that even in the darkest moments, light can be found. "It's been a difficult journey to get here, yes, but I say: it can be done." Read the full article on our website: www.migrantwomenpress.com

📚Uncovering Hidden Truths in Islamic Law In her research on Islamic law and women’s perspectives, Alymah student Nabela Ahmad sheds light on a critical gap in interpretation. While Islam affirms essential rights, male scholars often overlook protections, especially those concerning domestic abuse. Her work calls for a reevaluation, bringing forward the voices and rights that deserve recognition. Alymah is a female Islamic scholar who studies the Quran—the central religious text of Islam—and Hadith—a collection of oral traditions in Islam that are said to record the words, actions, and silent approvals of the Prophet Muhammad—as well as Islamic Law and History. In her opinion piece "The Women’s Rights in Islamic Law Often Overlooked by Male Muslims," Nabela discusses this lack of misinterpretation more in-depth. "Most mosques in large cities now have Alymahs who can be contacted to clarify issues related to women’s rights, even through telephone helplines." Read Nabela's opinion, calling for an inclusive and accurate understanding of Islamic Law protections against domestic abuse. Read on our website: www.migrantwomenpress.com 📷Nina Zeynep Guler at @Unsplash

❗️FGM in the UK: The Hidden Truth Despite being illegal, female genital mutilation (FGM) continues to harm migrant women in the UK. “The exact prevalence is difficult to determine due to underreporting and the secrecy surrounding the practice,” Valerie Lolomari, founder of the FGM survivor-led organisation Woman of Grace UK, said. Survivors and advocates emphasise the urgent need for stronger measures to tackle this severe form of sexual violence and prioritise survivor-focused support. Read the full article on our website: www.migrantwomenpress.com 📷 Olayinka Babalola

🔎Unpacking the Kafala System Kicking off Week 2 of our #16DaysCampaign, we shed light on the struggles endured by migrant domestic workers trapped under Lebanon’s kafala system—a system that binds workers to their employers, giving them control over almost every aspect of their lives. For female domestic workers, this reality is even harsher. Globally, domestic work is often undervalued as "women's work" and goes unnoticed by authorities. For African women, the challenges are even more severe; trapped in the intersections of race, gender, class, and migration, these women face relentless surveillance, discrimination, and heightened vulnerability to gender-based violence within their employers' homes. In her powerful first-hand piece, "Trapped in Lebanon: A Migrant Worker’s First-Hand Account of Life Under the Kafala System in a Time of War," Viany De Marceau @viany_de_marceau_ draws on her own experiences to reveal the devastating impact of the Kafala system. As the founder of REMAN (Regroupement des Migrant.e.s de l’Afrique Noire) @remanorganization she has created a vital community for migrant workers, fighting for dignity, justice, and freedom. As Lebanon’s crisis deepens, so does the hardship for migrant workers under the kafala system. Support REMAN's mission and stand with those who are most vulnerable. Every contribution helps provide urgent relief and hope. Donate to help migrant domestic workers in Lebanon. More info here: https://lnkd.in/dP_jjmyn 📷Jenny Gustafsson

❗️Hidden Crisis in Ireland: Single Mother Asylum Seekers Currently, around 30,000 people are believed to be living in Direct Provision in Ireland, yet the specific experiences of women within this system remain dangerously overlooked. In the feature "Navigating the Shadows: Experiences of Single Mothers within Ireland’s Asylum System", Berta Berta Quiñonero reveal the experiences of women at the crossroads of migration and gender-based violence. "The entrenched structural racism must be challenged, and a feminist approach that advocates for policies truly designed to protect and empower all women must be promoted." During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we’re dedicated to sharing these women's stories and amplifying their voices. Read the full article on our website: www.migrantwomenpress.com 📷Kevin Turcios

As we’re nearing the wrap-up of the first week of our campaign, we’re bringing an essential discussion to the forefront. The online reaction to accusations against Sean “Diddy” Combs and other high-profile men exposes a troubling reality—how the public can become enablers of abuse. But what’s the cost to victims and survivors? In this piece, Jamila Pereira digs into the disturbing trend of gender-based violence being sensationalised, dissecting how social media often amplifies harmful narratives and trivializes survivors' experiences. She invites us to rethink our role in these conversations and the impact on real lives. "For the sake of trending topics, shares and likes, survivors are met with stigma, digital harassment, abuse, persecution and mockery, while their experiences are belittled and sensationalised." Read the full article on our website: www.migrantwomenpress.com 📷Steve Granitz WireImage