women’s health in the spotlight

By Roya, Media Ambassador

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2024, our Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) Women’s Group attended a women’s health workshop in London.

Run by Clear Voice (which trains refugees and asylum seekers to become qualified interpreters), speakers covered subjects such as period health, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis and the menopause. All the speakers gave an excellent insight into these issues and helpful advice on how to recognise symptoms on ourselves and peers, and what to do when we recognise these symptoms. 

Some of these health issues, such as PCOS, are more widespread among women of colour, which is relevant to many young women at KRAN from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. 

We all enjoyed the workshop and came out feeling more knowledgeable about our health and how the medical industry treats women's bodies. The speakers also gave helpful information about accessing NHS services as a refugee or asylum seeker, which will prove helpful for KRAN staff.

Dr Lou Roberts, our New Project Developer, says: “It was really interesting to learn about women's health and also the ways that it has been de-prioritised and how little we know about it, as well as the way women have had to fight just to be believed about their pain. We learnt that the average diagnosis wait time for someone with endometriosis is eight years!

“Before we went on the trip, we talked about some of these topics and we will follow up with a discussion on reproductive health justice. We will discuss the history of women's health and the medicalisation and monetisation of reproductive health for women. 

“The aim was to inform young women about their bodies and health, and empower them to speak openly among each other, offer support and insight and try to break down barriers to these discussions. There can be a lot of shame and embarrassment about talking about topics like this, but it is so important to start the conversations and support each other to know more about our bodies and access appropriate medical help.”