Southall Black Sisters
@SBSisters
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Southall Black Sisters founded in 1979 to address needs of Black, minoritised and migrant women empowering them to escape violence RT&Follow≠endorse
Southall
Joined September 2010
Our hearts are broken at the news of Elianne Andam’s murder & our thoughts are with her family & loved ones. This must be a reckoning with the epidemic of male violence against black women & girls & the systemic enabling of a 17-year-old boy to commit such a heinous murder (1/2)
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With pride & sadness we, the MC of @sbsisters, say goodbye to #Pragnapatel stepping down after 40 years at the helm. Visionary, warrior, pioneer, a heavy weight in the feminist, racial & social justice movements has given us an organisation to be proud of.
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On the 10th of July 2024, the @CPSUK discontinued all charges imposed on @SELMATAHA8, Divina Riggon and Danae Thomas – the #KingsCross3. 1/n 🧵. Read our full statement 👇.#CampaignWin
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Who does the police work for? . A Statement by Southall Black Sisters on the racist attack on our Director @SELMATAHA8 .
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Johanita’s life could have been saved if her assailant had been held accountable for attacking strangers just days before. That Johanita’s case isn’t generating national attention is telling of how society normalises Black femicide
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Four lives brutally cut short by a horrific act of male violence. Our deepest condolences to the friends, family and community of Dolet Hill, Denton Burke, Tanysha Ofori-Afukko and Samantha Drummonds.
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Proud to present our banner created for @womensmarchlon #BringTheNoise march, we are meeting at Portland Place from 11 onwards tomorrow, march moves off at 12.30. Join us! As BME women, we stand up & say: No, not in our name, not on our watch! Banner created by @shakilamaan
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Additionally, addressing the root causes of men's violence against women and girls, with a particular focus on Black women who are marginalised in society, is essential for any effective response to knife crime. (2/2).
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Charges Scrapped! We welcome Gov U-turn - charging #ForcedMarriage victims for their freedom was always an abuse of the most vulnerable. This victory is theirs. Media working in co-operation with activism, can be such a powerful tool for change
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A statement from our Executive Director, @SELMATAHA8, on the shocking developments around the racist attack on her and her friends on the tube in Sep 2023. In solidarity ✊
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We are incredibly disappointed that MPs voted against our amendments in #DABill to protect migrant women from domestic abuse. Our briefing paper outlines why the £1.5m pilot project is an inadequate & discriminatory proposal: #ProtectionForAll.
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Hate is your weapon Courage is ours. We're on our way to #BringTheNoise march We stand in solidarity w/ all those who will be protesting against Trump's visit to UK As BME women,we stand up & say No,not in our name, not on our watch. SBS fighting inequality & injustice since 1979
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We are devastated that the Court of Appeal has refused to overturn the govt's decision to strip Shamima Begum of her British citizenship. Such little empathy for a child victim of grooming, trafficking and sexual exploitation is appalling and merits serious reconsideration.
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Our hearts are with Kulsuma Akter's loved ones. We are outraged that the accused was granted bail despite having assaulted and threatened to kill her. Her homicide is another example of women being let down due to systemic failure to treat MVAWG with the seriousness it deserves.
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For #16Daysofactivism we are sharing powerful & moving perspectives from 16 migrant women subject to abuse, highlighting why we need #ProtectionForAll irrespective of immigration status. Pls read,share&support our campaign. CW:testimonies incl. abuse, suicide #StepUpMigrantWomen
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SBS asks the @ukhomeoffice why we have been excluded from the first roundtable meeting next week on the Domestic Abuse Bill chaired by the new Home Secretary, Priti Patel @patel4witham #DVBill.
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SBS and its partners have been awarded the Support for Migrant Victims Scheme, to deliver a one-year pilot project in order to address the alleged “evidence gaps” about the needs of abused migrant women, before the Govt will commit to providing any long-term solution. Thread 1/10.
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We, the undersigned, condemn the murderous violence against girls in Southport and the terrifying racist violence sweeping across the country. SBS .@FiLiA_charity .@LabWomenDec .@nia_endingVAWG .@AuroraNewDawn.Save Liverpool Women's Hospital.@SistersSalon2 . Our statement 👇
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We are delighted to be entering a new phase under the leadership of Selma Taha, who brings with her over a decade of experience in the VAWG sector. Welcome @SELMATAHA8 @nia_endingVAWG .
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SBS signs letter supporting the need for free and open debate on gender politics and women’s rights without violence, threats and discrimination
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Due to the severe weather we will be opening our centre to #HomelessWomen from 27 Feb to 4 Mar 10am-4pm. We will be providing food & basic toiletries. If you know of a #homeless woman, please invite her! Thanks to @M4WALimited for food/toiletries donations
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Tomorrow, SBS will give evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee to raise the plight of abused migrant women with no recourse to public funds. We call for all victims to be given benefits & safe housing to escape the stark choice between domestic abuse & destitution.
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Legal victory on Court of Appeal landmark judgment that #GenderSegregation can amount to unlawful Sex Discrimination
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With pride & sadness we, the MC of @sbsisters, say goodbye to #Pragnapatel stepping down after 40 years at the helm. Never one to back away from what she saw as important causes, no matter how unfashionable or controversial. She put SBS on the map.
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In early May, SBS was astounded to receive an email stating that as of 26 May 2021, women applying for leave to remain in the UK on grounds of domestic abuse will be required to enrol their biometrics at the Home Office’s UK Visas & Immigration ‘Service & Support’ Centres. 1/7.
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The #DABill has now received Royal Assent. We are not celebrating because it excludes protections for migrant women. We may have lost the vote but we won the debate. Our struggle continues.
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SBS needs your support! As it stands, the long-awaited #DABill excludes protection for migrant women. However, the next stage of the Bill gives us a chance to change that. #ProtectionForAll #StepUpMigrantWomen #NoVictimLeftBehind
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Today @SBSisters & @Liberty welcome findings from the first ever super-complaint upholding our concerns regarding the police practice of sharing migrant victims’ data with the HO for enforcement purposes.
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Dear supporters, like us, please allow yourselves ten minutes to feel sad, upset & deflated & then put on your fighting gloves. We have work to do! The defeat yesterday tell us that we are right & they are wrong. Justice & equality knows no boundaries #ProtectionForAll #DABill.
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There is a growing consensus that excluding migrant women from any meaningful protection in the Bill is untenable. Protection from abuse is a human right, it cannot depend on visa status. Please continue your support for our #ProtectionForAll campaign
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📢 We are organising an online public meeting to raise awareness about Black women's daily experiences of institutional racism and the criminalisation they are subjected to if they dare to speak out. Join us at 6.30pm on 12 June. Register 👇 #KingsCross3.
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40+ orgs stand in solidarity against the far-right riots weaponising violence against women to whip up hatred against racially minoritised communities. Our statement 👇. Full list of signatories in the comments. 1/n.
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SBS and @compinpolitics are asking hotels to offer accommodation, free of charge, to women and children escaping abuse, to ensure that they have a life line. We ask hotels to work with women’s support services to offer rooms to those who need it.
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This is beyond depressing. The systemic de-humanisation of women and the destruction of democracy including the rule of law are just two of the key goals of all religious fundamentalists when they capture state power.
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We are alarmed at the Govt’s decision to fragment its approach to gender-based violence (GBV), by creating 2 separate strategies for Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) and Domestic Abuse (DA).
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With pride & sadness we, the MC of @sbsisters, say goodbye to #Pragnapatel stepping down after 40 years at the helm. She was inspired by Alice Walker's words, 'Activism is the rent we pay to live on this planet'.
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We are delighted that #MeenaPatel has been awarded the #EmmaHumphreysMemorialPrize Lifetime Achievement Award, what an incredible honour among so many worthy candidates, incredible women in their own right, our sisters in the fight to #EndVAW
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#IWD this year coincides with the #DABill moving to the ‘Report Stage’ in the @UKHouseofLords. Hailed as ‘landmark legislation’, there remains however, a glaring and deliberate omission - there is no protection for migrant women. #ChooseToChallenge.
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Govt has announced ‘ground-breaking’ Domestic Bill today yet continues to exclude migrant women from protection. Our new briefing paper sets out why Bill must enshrine equality & #ProtectionForAll survivors of abuse in order to fulfil this promise #DABill
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Today SBS is giving evidence to the #DABill Committee to outline the urgent need for the Govt to enshrine statutory protection for migrant women for once and for all. The time is now. #ProtectionForAll
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Yesterday, we joined the protest against the far-right racists in Brentford. It was heartening to be part of the gathering, united in calling for racist borders to fall. Our message is loud and clear - here to stay, here to fight! Our tradition is struggle, not submission! 1/2
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It is official: There is no structural racism in the UK! What a whitewash. How insulting to the memory of Stephen Lawrence and how damaging to those of us who challenge racial inequality on a daily basis. #RaceReport #RaceCommission.
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SBS met @Keir_Starmer yesterday and called for @UKLabour to support legal reforms for abused women with NRPF to give access to public funds and the firewall on data sharing between the police and Immigration Enforcement. (1)
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SBS & a coalition of 50+orgs including @lawrsuk, @Safety4Sisters, @AngelouCentre1 have written to Minister Victoria Atkins w/serious concerns about the Home Office’s pilot scheme proposals for migrant women. It is currently discriminatory & untenable:
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Southall Black Sisters strongly condemns the violent attack on Salman Rushdie. Read our full statement here:.
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We, the Directors of @SBSisters, @4refugeewomen, @lawrsuk, @Safety4Sisters and @Imkaan, submitted a list of 12 demands to Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer @10DowningStreet on behalf of 65 third sector orgs today to urge govt to tackle the root causes of far-right riots. 1/2
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What will it take for the police to take domestic and sexual violence seriously? SBS’s Meena Patel talks about the huge gulf in trust that exists between the police and the women who need protection.
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If you are a victim of forced marriage and have taken a loan from the Foreign Office to return to the UK, you can get the loan cancelled. We can offer you assistance with this. #ForcedMarriage #FM
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"Religious leaders will not get their way" Gender Segregation is Gender Apartheid #SeparateIsNotEqual
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With @jessphillips’ support, we are campaigning for an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill to recognise honour-based abuse as an aggravating factor in murder sentencing. In memory of Banaz Mahmod, a victim of HBA whose sister Bekhal we’ve supported, we call it Banaz’s Law. 1/3.
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We welcome the new statutory aggravating factors to strengthen sentencing for VAWG. This announcement recognises that ‘rough sex’ is not a defence for death through abusive, degrading or dangerous behaviour. 1/2.
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Our amazing banner by our Support Group w/@Atlassya we wanted to focus on Sophia Singh to remember all BME suffragettes who sacrificed so much for us to ensure #VotesForWomen Shout out for allowing us the use of this image #ProcessionsLDN #Processions2018
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We extend our solidarity and support to the family of Sally Challen and their courageous fight for justice. Coercion and control lies at the heart of domestic abuse dynamics. it is time that the law understood this. #FreeSallyChallen.
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The Victims & Prisoners Bill is a rare opportunity for the govt to extend protection to victims of abuse with No Recourse to Public Funds by allowing them access to vital services. A law with victims at its heart cannot leave migrant victims behind. 1/2 #SupportMigrantVictims
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#DomesticAbuseBill introduced to Parliament but where is the protection for #BME & #migrant women? We call on Gov to do the right thing & give proper consideration to amendments we have put forward to protect abused BME & #MigrantWomen #ProtectionForAll
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SBS are proud to be staffed by & to serve migrant women. A significant proportion of services we rely upon every day are operated by migrant & refugee women. Without us, the country would simply cease to function. Support #1DayWithoutUs & be proud to stand for migrants #1DWU
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Southall Black Sisters mourns the death of the outstanding feminist activist and human rights lawyer #AsmaJahangir. Her singular voice for #HumanRights, not only in Pakistan, but throughout South Asia, will be missed by #secular and radical activists throughout the world
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An update on the case against our Executive Director @SELMATAHA8 and her friends #TheKingsCross3 . Watch this space for further updates 👇
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We are outside the Royal Courts of Justice standing in solidarity with the women who brought the case against a religious leader accused of alleged rape, extortion and unpaid labour. We stand against cult abuse and demand that justice is served.
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SBS was delighted by the wide spectrum of cross-party support in @UKHouseofLords yesterday for #SecondReading of the #DABill. It is heartening to see a growing consensus in support of migrant women’s rights - the culmination of decades of campaigning by courageous survivors.
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We're deeply concerned that the government is funding evangelical Christians who appear to use working with trafficked women as an opportunity to proselytise. Services delivered to vulnerable people shouldn't be mixed with religion. . @NatSecSoc.
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Our director Pragna Patel has received an honorary doctorate from @KeeleUniversity for her 'outstanding contribution to women’s rights, social justice & secularism' "I am delighted but also humbled by the very generous honour that has been conferred on me"
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Southall Black Sisters, @compinpolitics, @jessphillips along with many others are asking @RishiSunak Chancellor of the Exchequer & @patel4witham Home Secretary to underwrite the costs of hotel & hostel accommodation for women and children escaping abuse.
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We have been leading a campaign to reform immigration law for victims of abuse for over 30 yrs & will not stop unless the rights of all victims are recognised regardless of their immigration status. The Victims Bill is a significant step in this direction. #SupportMigrantVictims
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We are delighted to have won this grant & look forward to working with our partners @AngelouCentre1 & @Safety4Sisters to provide basic support to abused & vulnerable & women who have ‘no recourse to public funds 1/4.
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Today the @UKHouseofLords will discuss our proposed amendments for migrant women which have reached the #DABill Committee Stage. The debate will be led by @BishGloucester with support from cross-party Peers.
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Bekhal, sister of Banaz Mahmod who was killed in an 'honour killing' talks of vital support provided to her by SBS. She calls for better policing and funding for services for survivors. She features in the Times today and the @ITV drama 'Honour' tonight.
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An utterly abhorrent case of racialised sexual violence facilitated by the police and enabled by the school. “Someone walked into the school, where I was supposed to feel safe, took me away from the people who were supposed to protect me and stripped me naked, while on my period”.
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Frank Hester's comments about Diane Abbott are repugnant and emblematic of structural misogyny and racism. We condemn the normalisation of such behaviour implicit in the expectation that Abbott accept a measly apology after being subjected to such frightening hate speech. 1/2.
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Southall Black Sisters pays tribute to the brave women at the heart of #Worboys case & @HWistrich. Heartfelt thanks to our brilliant legal team @dpg_law @matrixchambers. Standing in solidarity with @EVAWuk @nia_endingVAWG @RapeCrisisEandW @libertyhq & women everywhere
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Congratulations @Safety4Ssisters. What a fantastic achievement in setting up a refuge for women with #NRPF! You have shown what is possible even in the most hostile, anti-immigration political climate. It is inspiring.
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In a short while, our Executive Director @SELMATAHA8 & Danae Thomas will be live on @BBCWomansHour with @itsanitarani to discuss the racist case pursued against them by the @CPSUK. Tune in. We'll also be live tweeting as it streams. 🎙️ #KingsCross3 1/n .
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Thank you @jessphillips for your heroic efforts at the #BillCommittee in advocating for migrant women w/o access to the welfare safety net. The #BlackLivesMatter movement is a challenge to structural inequality & this Govt needs to listen. Action not words!.
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The Govt rejected our revised amendment to the #DABill which proposed lifting NRPF for migrant women fleeing abuse for the duration of the pilot project. But we will not give up. We won the debates in both Houses even though we lost the vote. The Govt defends the indefensible.
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‘How migrant women have become the forgotten victims of Britain’s domestic abuse crisis’, w/contributions from SBS, @lawrsuk, @Safety4Sisters @SolaceWomensAid #ProtectionForAll #SUMW
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📢Join us online for a public meeting at 6pm on 21 Nov 2023 to support our campaign for migrant victims of domestic abuse to have access to public funds. Register at: All welcome! . (1/3)
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Today, a memorial service is being held for the late, great feminist – Cynthia Cockburn. In her memory, we post the following tribute
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We deplore the treatment of @HackneyAbbott , the first Black woman elected to UK Parliament. Racial prejudice and misogynoir are deeply entrenched in our system, disproportionately disadvantaging and failing Black women. This cannot continue. In solidarity. 🖤.
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Black femicide figures are at crisis levels. In 2023 62% of women killed in London were Black despite being just 14% of the female population. This points to the scale of the issue. How do we tackle institutional racism? .Join our public meeting next week:.
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The UK's first Sikh Court opens tomorrow. We are concerned about the pressure to mediate it will impose on women. Our demand is one law for all. Our statement has continued to gather support since first published, and has 75+ signatories now. Read 👇🏾.
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We are so thankful to @BishGloucester & all the peers who voted for better protection for migrant women subject to domestic abuse yesterday. The Bishop worked hard to get our amendment passed in the @UKHouseofLords & showed true leadership. #DABill #ProtectionForAll.
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📢 Save the date!. Join us at 6.30pm on 18 Sept at @ConwayHall for a public meeting on institutional racism in the criminal justice system. The #KingsCross3’s case is testament to the oppression Black women are subjected to if they dare call out racist abuse. 1/2
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Important test case on libel law will be heard at the Supreme Court on 13 November. It has huge implications for the rights of women to freedom of expression in the context of domestic & sexual violence
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Thank you to all the organisers at @womensmarchlon for all their hard work that has gone into today’s #BringTheNoise march. We have shown #Trump that love & solidarity will win over hatred & division any time #TrumpUKVisit #ResistTrump #TogetherAgainstTrump #HostileEnvironment
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Please write to your MP to request that they vote for our three amendments next week. We have provided a template to help: #ProtectionForAll #StepUpMigrantWomen #NoVictimLeftBehind
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👏🏾 Our heartiest congratulations to @hannanasiddiqui, Head of Policy, Campaigns and Research at Southall Black Sisters, for being awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the @RoshniBham Annual Gala Awards and Charity Event 2023 for her contributions to work on DV and HBV.
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Thanks to all who donated so generously to cover the funeral costs of our beloved sister Dorothy Ugwu. We have reached our target goal of £6K and we will now be able to lay Dorothy to rest with the respect and dignity that was denied to her in life
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We have been really frustrated by Gov dragging its feet in meeting our demand to underwrite hotel costs. If French Gov can do this why can’t we? Hotels are ready & willing, women’s sector is ready but there is a complete absence of will & leadership at the highest level.
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We are determined to raise funds to cover Dorothy’s funeral costs and to give back her humanity and dignity so cruelly robbed off her by the government’s hostile immigration system
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“I am devastated & so disappointed that the campaign to support & protect migrant women, who are trapped in situations of abuse due to the #NRPF condition, have been left out of the protections of the #DABill” Pragna Patel on @BBCr4today #ProtectionForAll
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As part of 16 Days of Activism, we're working with our community to champion a vision of this world as free from violence against women and girls. Featuring artwork by Bhajan Hunjan, we’re taking our campaign door to door– quite literally. Over the years, we hope to see it grow🌱
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A follow up statement on Israel/Palestine from Southall Black Sisters 👇🏾. #Gaza #Israel #CeasefireNOW.
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Our clients had tremendous time @ #PROCESSIONS2018 marching for #Vote100 & our #BME sisters who are still fighting for their basic #HumanRights Thank u to @Processions2018 @artichoketrust @1418NOW for all your support,it’s been an incredible journey #PROCESSIONSldn #VotesForWomen
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SBS stands in solidarity w/ people of #Rojava whose ecological, truly democratic, multi-ethnic women's revolution faces destruction at hands of Turkey. We call upon UK Govt & @borisjohnson to do all in their power to get Turkey to withdraw #RiseUp4Rojava
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"These girls have been though appalling abuse and slavery - to force them to repay debts when they are destitute and in dire need of intensive support is to compound their trauma." #ForcedMarriage.
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SBS needs your urgent support! Next week the #DABill returns to the House of Commons. MPs will once again be presented with a crucial opportunity to vote in favour of amendments to ensure that migrant women are afforded equal protection.
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Thank you @Womans_Place_UK for facilitating a much needed discussion on men's violence against women & girls. Inspired by @K_IngalaSmith @polblonde & @afsanalachaux. Thank you for showing us what courage looks like. #WPUKagainstMVAWG.
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We welcome the guilty verdict in the the so called honour killing of Somaiya Begum. We call for robust monitoring of Forced Marriage Protection Orders so women are protected from breaches when they remain in the family. This case shows the tragic consequences of failing to do so.
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We pay tribute to the courage of Celia Stubbs who has led an extraordinary struggle for justice for the murder of Blair Peach. The truth must come out. #spycops #SpyCopsInquiry.
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