Women seeking sanctuary in the UK face challenges of discrimination and violence, a new report by a group of civil society organisations has revealed. The release of the report titled Seeking Asylum coincided with the UN women’s rights experts’ review of the UK Government in relation to its efforts in eliminating all forms of discrimination against women

The report, launched by the Baobab Women’s Project and Refugee Rights Europe, alongside Coventry Asylum and Refugee Action Group, Women with Hope, MEENA Centre for Women and Children and Coventry Migrant Women’s Houses, highlights the shortcomings in the UK’s fulfilment of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women and ensures the representation of asylum-seeking women in the UK at the highest policy levels.

The collective of civil society organisations are moreover represented by Baobab Women’s Project at the UN headquarters in Geneva, to raise the voices of women which are far too seldom heard or considered.

The report highlighted lack of asylum support system, denied the right to work, mental health concerns, destitution and violence against women as some of the discriminatory practices which impacts heavily on women seeking asylum.

Sarah Taal, Advocate and Coordinator of Baobab Women’s Project and report co-author said: “Today we’re bringing the otherwise silenced voices of asylum-seeking women to the UN Headquarters in Geneva, calling on the UK Government to make every possible effort to eliminate discrimination towards them. We have worked with hundreds of women over the years, who are trying to find sanctuary and exercise the right to live in the UK, and who should be entitled to the same opportunities as others, regardless of nationality, or the right to remain.”

The full report can be accessed by clicking here.