University to Host Conference on Women Caught Up in Refugee Crisis

Marking International Women's Day, the event will celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women across the world and their courage and strength in the face of this situation.

Organised by the University's National Centre for the Study and Prevention of Violence and Abuse (NCSPVA), the event takes place at the University's Riverside Building, on the Severn Campus, on Wednesday, March 8th.

It will feature presentations from postgraduate students from the University of Worcester and further representatives from academic, charity and media spheres to give offer different perspectives on the issue.

Beverley Gilbert, Senior Lecturer in the NCSPVA, who co-organised the event, said: "Every person can play a part in helping to drive better outcomes for women and girls across the globe to create a more gender inclusive world.

"We are using International Women's Day 2017 to celebrate the social, economic and cultural achievements of women and specifically this year, to recognise the courage of refugee women and girls who come to the UK to start a new life, hopefully with life security and safety."

University of Worcester Masters student, Kirsty Fraser, who is co-founder of the People in Motion charity, will be speaking on the topic "Invisible Warriors " Women in Grande-Synthe Refugee Camp", following her work with refugees in the camps in Calais and Dunkirk.

She said: "I will be highlighting the importance of solidarity within the refugee crisis and exploring what that means. I will be drawing on my experiences of working with women in Dunkirk Refugee Camp."

Alexis Wright, Postgraduate student within the NCSPVA, will give a feminist perspective on the asylum process.

Professor Jenny Phillimore, Director of the University of Birmingham's Institute for Research into Superdiversity and Professor of Migration and Superdiversity, will speak on 'Gender and Refugee Integration' and editor, writer, traveller and aid worker, Caroline Gregory, will speak on 'The Experience of Gender when Working in Refugee Camps'.

Booking costs £25 per person.

To book a space visit www.worcester.ac.uk/discover/ncspva-events.

For more information email e.dobson@worc.ac.uk or call 01905 542711.