We asked some of our incredible Sanctuary Ambassadors which women have inspired them in their fight for refugee rights. This is what they said:

Mama

Hello, I’m Mama! A woman who has inspired me in my fight for refugee rights is Jaha Dukureh.⁣

Today on International Womens Day I want to celebrate her incredible work. A survivor of female genital mutilation and forced child marriage, she is now a Human Rights activist and a UN Women’s Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Africa.⁣

She’s committed to ending FGM by mobilising youth and raising awareness of the harmful practices. She was named in the Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world and one of the 100 most influential Africans of 2017, by New African magazine for her work as an activist. ⁣

Niloha

My name is Niloha. When life has been tough, my role model has been Oprah Winfrey.⁣
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Today on International Womens Day I want to celebrate her. After an incredibly tough childhood, she now does wonderful charity work, and stands out with he ability to feel others’ pain and help people get through troubling times. ⁣
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She has been a crusader for education and donated millions towards it. She has always been very outspoken about important issues. With her success, she has also become a generous philanthropist. ⁣
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I firmly believe, we must have a purpose in life and chase it. When we do, we will be amazed how powerful we become and how we can impact the people surrounding us and the entire world. Circumstances in life can’t hold us back, we must take advantage of them.⁣

Anne

Hello, I’m Anne! In my journey of seeking sanctuary there are many women who have supported me – and many who still support, encourage and give me inner strength.

I have been supported and truly inspired by Women Health Matters – Sally, Hannah and Lucy, Rose – Refugee Council, Tamsin and Keziah – Mafwa Theatre and Mary – Asylum Matters. Without their support I would be still isolating somewhere behind closed doors.

Wonderful! Excellent! Amazing! Loving! Caring! Sharing! Encouraging! Motivating! They are like Rainbow in my life that bought colours in my life.

All amazing women who gave me different platforms that took me to different doors of opportunities like art, music, creativity. Words would only express the meaning what I really want to say about them, however I don’t have words to express my feelings and emotions. It’s a saying “Only woman can understand another woman”, yes so true!

Hannah also being my wellbeing support worker bought things back in my life which I never thought I will ever do again, like bike riding and playing badminton – I love it.