Refugee Women Are Leaders

Sometimes, they say their presence in decision-making spaces feels more like a checkbox-ticking activity than a meaningful engagement. That's why these two women are on a mission to ensure that other refugee women leaders receive support and recognition in accordance with their expertise and lived experiences. 

Deline Ramiro, originally from Rwanda, is a refugee currently living in Kenya. Previously, she led Solidarity Initiative for Refugees, a refugee-led organisation (RLO) in Kenya's Kakuma Refugee Camp. Vanessa Ishimwe, a Rwandan refugee who has been living in Uganda since 2008, has held various leadership roles and is passionate about women's entrepreneurship and leadership. 

Upon reflecting on their experiences as refugee women leaders and the changes they want to see in this space, Deline and Vanessa decided to undertake a research project to delve into the challenges and opportunities for women-led RLOs. As members of WUSC's DREEM Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), their research is supported by YAC's Community Fund, which is made possible by WUSC, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

RLOs, ranging from small informal groups to large registered non-governmental organisations, are created by refugees and displaced people (RDPs) to fill gaps left by aid organisations, governments, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). 

Due to factors common among RLOs, such as their strong community-based networks, use of various languages, and ability to provide assistance to individuals who may lack documentation, RLOs are widely considered to be impactful. However, a study by the University of Oxford's Refugee Studies Centre states that most RLOs are created by men, with few groups being led by women. It states: "This is due to structural and cultural barriers that most women face; women have fewer network connections, are often excluded from decision-making, and most have only informal education."

According to Deline and Vanessa, while women-led RLOs are instrumental in addressing community needs, they receive significantly fewer resources than their male-led counterparts, and increasing competition of limited resources puts women-led RLOs at a disadvantage.

"There are not a lot of refugee women and girls currently who have the access to decision making processes, therefore, a huge portion of the refugee population is not being represented in the decisions that are being made," Vanessa says. "This reduces the chances that decisions that are being made are in the best interest of society as a whole." 

Their research, which emphasises the voices, needs, and unique position of refugee women leaders in crafting solutions, stems from Deline and Vanessa's core belief that refugee and displaced women are leaders whose voices and influence are critical.

"I believe that refugee women are leaders. They are not just survivors of the crisis or problems they had either in the host country or the country they fled from but they have solutions to create thriving communities and be good leaders," Deline says.

"Coming from my personal experience, any woman from a displaced background holds the power to shape our future. I would like for there to be a space where they can voice their voices and can be heard," Deline says. 

Deline and Vanessa want displaced women to know that their leadership is a core aspect of ensuring inclusion for all RDPs.  

"We commit to amplifying your voice, honoring your journey, and standing beside you," Deline says. "Your strength is not just inspiring, it is unstoppable."