ASRC Women Celebrate Their Wins

This International Women’s Day, ASRC hosted a celebration for the women members of our community. The event focused on honouring the successes – both big and small – and uplifting the aspirations of the ASRC women.

Women frequently face limited opportunities in their countries of origin, may have fled war, torture, persecution and trauma. In Australia, these women often continue to experience discrimination, family violence or health issues. Women seeking asylum face significant barriers to their social and economic participation, further exacerbated by language challenges and family responsibilities.

In the words of Veronica, ASRC’s Women’s Empowerment Program Coordinator, the journeys of women seeking asylum and refugees have been extraordinary: “The roads you have travelled have not been easy – marked by uncertainty, hardship, and often loss. Seeking asylum is an act of immense bravery – to leave behind your home, your community, your family, and everything you have known takes incredible courage.”

At the event at ASRC, women wrote down their personal victories of the past year on a flower-shaped piece of paper, creating a wall bouquet full of their achievements. These ranged from learning how to roast potatoes and staying hydrated to learning how to ride a bike, mastering the art of flower arrangement, completing university courses, gaining work rights and securing new jobs.   

“It is important to remember that every step forward is a triumph,” said Veronica. “Whether you’ve successfully settled into your new home, found a job, learned a new skill, or simply found a moment of peace in a new place – each victory is a step toward a better future.”

The International Women’s Day gathering concluded with a shared meal provided by a catering business owned by a woman member, and an invitation to join the upcoming activities organised by the Women’s Empowerment Program at ASRC. The program supports women seeking asylum to build new and further develop their existing skills, ensuring they don’t just survive but have access and equity to opportunities that allow them to thrive. It provides a safe and supportive space for women seeking asylum to engage, learn from each other, form friendship and networks, and have a sense of belonging, by organising a range of wellbeing programs and activities, from hiking expeditions, visits to wellness centres and bike riding, to sewing, crafting, gardening and photography.