“The father of my children used to abuse me and threaten to kill me. With the little money I brought home, he wanted it to buy alcohol. Yasmin Rajah, Director at RSS and who oversees the UNHCR’s social assistance programme, says that refugees and asylum-seekers are more likely to enter into transactional relationships to survive, and this could include exchanging their bodies for money, and staying in relationships where they are emotionally and physically abused. “We work with organisations like UNHCR to offer cash-based interventions that help with business development, accommodation, and food for GBV survivors. However, obtaining refugee status and accessing the asylum system remains challenging. The absence of sustainable livelihoods and limited access to resources also leave women and members of vulnerable populations in a difficult situation, exposing them to multiple instances of GBV,” says Yasmin. Despite challenges, Idaya and Dela are focusing on healing while rebuilding their lives. “The challenges are there, but we are pushing and hoping for a better future,” smiles Dela.
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November 2023 | Collective Action Magazine
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