Includes women from Algeria, Bangladesh, Burundi. The Comoros, Ivory Coast, Congo (DRC and Brazzaville), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda, Zimbabwe. In Africa we organized for survival and for change for ourselves, our families and communities. We were imprisoned, beaten, raped, starved, made to do forced labor of military service... under dictatorships supported and armed by Western governments of corporations. Some of us saw our loved ones killed.

We came to the UK where we thought our torture would be finished but it has continued. The problem many of us face now is that our asylum claims are denied and we have nowhere to sleep, no money, no food. Some of us have been locked up in detention centers, even when pregnant or with babies; many have suffered racist attacks. Many of us are mothers and rape survivors; some are older, younger and/or lesbian women... Most of us have very poor health as a result of the torture we suffered, and some have disabilities. We are fighting for our right to stay and our right to live. We got together at Crossroads Women's center because we couldn't get help elsewhere.

We are self help group.  We have been fighting against detention and deportation, the government’s brutal new laws, legal injustices in our cases, racism, destitution, forced dispersal, rape, forced conscription in the countries we fled from, and to get our right to stay in a safe place.  We want recognition of our caring work, the same protection and resources that everyone in every country needs like housing, food, healthcare, and schools for our children.

I was raped and all my children were taken from me.  When I came to England I was treated so badly I was ready to end my life.  Then I met other women like me and I thought to myself, ‘I’ll wait a little while and see if things improve.’ Now with the strength I have gained I am ready to fight for my life and help others.  B, Burundi

I was on my own, I looked everywhere for help but I couldn't get any. I came to the Crossroads Women's Center and for the first time I was believed. I went to the press about my case and now I have won. The demands of the Strike -- protection from all violence and freedom of movement, that is exactly what we are fighting for. J, Eritrea

I was raped and trafficked for nearly two years, then managed to escape. Without this group I don't know how I would have survived.  The Home Office charged me with criminal offences, and put me into prison.  We need to be protected from rape and other torture, instead of treated like criminals.  W, Rwanda

The government said I was lying and turned me down and then the charity support faded away. It was only when I came to this group that I was believed. We have no choice but to come together and help ourselves – taking part in the Strike is a way to do this globally. M, Democratic Republic of Congo

Britain is supplying arms that are killing people, they are doing business with our tormentors.  Women and children are suffering most -- there are many other women in my country who can’t run away. Let them take this in consideration and end all wars”. S, Uganda

We urge you to support us by donating to: Legal Action for Women's Emergency Fund which makes lunch available daily to those who have little or no income, and covers limited survival needs, including fares to lawyers’ and health appointments, and bus fares to London for women who call us from other towns and cities because they cannot find any help where they have been dispersed to. So far the main source of funds to cover these essentials has been churches, compassionate people (often on a low income themselves) dipping into their pockets to give individual donations. We ask especially lawyers, journalists, doctors and other professionals to consider their financial position not in relation to others in their professions but to asylum seekers and unwaged organisers, and to contribute to the Emergency Fund - preferably with a regular commitment. Please see form overleaf.

For more information call 020 7482 2496, e-mail centre@crossroadswomen.net, or post Crossroads Women’s Centre 230a Kentish Town Rd, London, NW5 2AB.

Title: ___ First name: _______________ Surname: _______________________________

Home Address: ___________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Postcode: _________________ Phone: ________________________________________

Email: __________________________________________________________________

 

Instruction to my bank

I wish to make a regular gift by direct debit/standing order of:

£ ____ every month starting ___________________________________________________

(Allow 28 days before first payment)

Signature: ______________________________ Date ______________________________

To (name of your bank): ______________________________________________________

At (branch address): _________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

Sort Code: __________________ Account number: _________________________________

Sum to be credited to:
Account name: Women in Dialogue.
Bank: Lloyds TSB Bank, 106 Kilburn High Road, London NW6 4HY
Sort Code: 77 91 13
Account number: 85111260.

Gift Aid Declaration

I would like Women in Dialogue (charity no. 283942) to reclaim the tax paid on my donations. I would like to Gift Aid all donations I make or have made since 6 April 2000 until further notice. I am a UK taxpayer and am paying an amount of tax equal to that Women in Dialogue reclaims on my donations.

Signed:_____________________________________________

Date: __________________

Please return this form to:
Women in Dialogue
Crossroads Women’s Centre
230a Kentish Town Road
London NW5 2AB

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