From championing refugee rights to advocating for other women, we’re celebrating these women leaders who won’t wait for change to happen.

Meet Lilian Dawa, a South Sudanese social worker in a refugee settlement in Uganda who works tirelessly to protect women and girls from violence.

Sinan, herself displaced by violence, created a safe spaces for refugee and displaced children in Iraq.

From years of experience working with refugees and asylum-seekers globally, we know that when given opportunity to thrive, forcibly displaced persons contribute to their host communities and boost local economies. However, third-country nationals living in the European Union face very specific challenges and barriers to integration stemming from their vulnerabilities as refugee populations, as well as structural issues and divergent asylum policies at the EU and national levels. As the EU transitions into a new mandate for the European Commission and Parliament, the International Rescue Committee outlines a set of recommendations for a renewed and improved EU Action Plan on Integration. We argue that only by supporting the transition of refugees and asylum-seekers into their new communities, the EU has a chance to prove its role as a credible champion of protection and inclusion.

This Mental Health Awareness Week it’s important that we don’t forget refugees and those who have had to flee their homes.

While over 4 million refugees have already fled Ukraine, millions more people remain trapped and in need of aid with their cities under attack.

Shaimah is 15 years old and has been living in the Cherso refugee camp in Northern Greece for over six months with her aunt and uncle. Living in constant uncertainty, her wish for the future is simple.

Launched in May 2022, the IRC’s Healing Classrooms approach helps schools and teachers to develop inclusive and nurturing environments where refugee and asylum seeking children can gain the necessary skills to reach their full potential. 

2017 has been tough for millions of people around the world. We’ve seen the likes of a global famine, the Trump administration’s Travel Ban and, closer to home, the UK Government turning its back on child refugees.