Shedding light on the inequalities affecting BAME women in Scotland  

The health, economic and social crisis we are currently experiencing has exacerbated the inequalities already existing in our communities —and Black women and women of colour have been particularly affected. From mental health, immigration, gender-based violence, racism and sexism, the barriers are many. As a group of feminists working in Scotland’s women’s sector we believe it’s vital to take action in support of Black, Asian and minority ethnic women and girls. This is why we have come together to put a spotlight on some of the issues affecting women in our communities.

Read the press release here.

The Spotlight Campaign will take place  online over the course of one week from 17-21st August. Each day throughout this week we will be shining a light on a specific issue experienced by this group and encouraging the public to take action. We will do so by sharing blogs written by Black women and women of colour in Scotland as well as interviews with them and by providing specific actions to take in support of this community. Our campaign aims to:

• Make space for the voices of Black women and women of colour in Scotland by featuring them in a series of blogs where they will discuss the barriers and issues they’ve encountered before and during the coronavirus pandemic
• Encourage allies to take action that has a positive impact on the issues described in the blogs
• Start a conversation and inspire action that we hope will continue beyond this campaign.

About us

We are a group of women brought together by a Feminist Leadership programme organised by Womens Resource Centre (WRC). We are working in national, local and grassroots organisations across Scotland that focus on empowering women and girls, ending gender-based violence and achieving a more equal and just society. We represent the following organisations and projects:

• Zero Tolerance
• The Feel Good Women’s Group (Glasgow)
• Girlguiding Scotland
• The STAR Centre (Ayrshire’s Rape Crisis Centre)
• The Scottish Women’s Rights Centre
• Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis Centre

The blogs

Blog #1 - Spotlight on Racism and Sexism

Why Intersectionality Matters: BAME Women in Leadership Roles, by Aleisha Omeike

Blog #2 - Spotlight on Racism and Sexism

Woman to Woman: We Got This by Lauryn Omeike

Blog #3 - Spotlight on struggles of women who have no recourse to public funds 

No Recourse to Public Funds: Old Weapons, New Injuries by Sumac Antezana from Ubuntu Women Shelter

Blog #4 - Spotlight on lives of BAME Women in Govanhill

One hundred and one women of Govanhill, an interview with Rizwana Saeed

Blog #5 - Spotlight on links between anti-racism work and prevention of violence against women 

To be feminist is to be antiracist: VAWG prevention work must implement this, by Heather Farley and Saffron Roberts from Zero Tolerance