Summary:
- A group of prominent British women called on the Labour government to include asylum seekers in its policies on violence against women and girls.
- In an open letter, they warned that excluding migrant women could create a “two-tier system” leaving vulnerable individuals unprotected.
- The letter, signed by campaigners and gender-based violence experts, emphasizes that protection from violence is a human right for all women, regardless of immigration status.
- Advocates highlight the unique challenges faced by asylum-seeking women, such as linguistic isolation and fear of interacting with authorities.
- The appeal adds urgency to Labour’s ongoing discussions about designing equitable anti-violence policies, although detailed proposals for asylum seekers have not yet been released.
- Supporters urge the government to ensure immigration status does not prevent access to safety and justice, as Labour considers its next strategy phase.
A group of prominent British women has issued a public call for the Labour government to ensure that asylum seekers are included in its policies aimed at tackling violence against women and girls. In an open letter addressed to ministers, they warned that excluding migrant women from protective measures risked creating a “two-tier system” that could leave some of the most vulnerable individuals unprotected.
The letter, whose signatories include campaigners, public figures, and experts in gender-based violence, urges the government to adopt a comprehensive approach that does not differentiate based on immigration status. “Protection from violence is a human right,” the letter states. “It must apply equally to every woman, regardless of where she comes from or how she arrived here.”
This appeal comes as Labour continues to shape its broader strategy to address violence against women and girls. Recent policy discussions have focused on strengthening legal frameworks, improving access to victim services, and increasing support for women at risk. However, campaigners argue that any framework that does not explicitly cover asylum seekers risks marginalizing those already facing significant systemic barriers.
Advocates note that asylum-seeking women often confront a unique set of challenges, including linguistic isolation, limited legal assistance, and fear of interacting with authorities due to uncertain immigration status. These factors can create environments in which abuse goes unreported and unaddressed. According to the signatories, leaving these women out of national protection efforts would not only be unjust, but would also weaken the overall impact of anti-violence policies.
“Our concern is that without specific provisions and protections, women seeking asylum may fall through the cracks,” said one of the letter’s authors. “You cannot build a truly inclusive and effective strategy if you exclude those most at risk.”
While the government has yet to formally respond to the letter, the intervention has added momentum to ongoing discussions over how to design protections that are both equitable and practical. Labour officials have previously indicated a commitment to inclusivity in their social justice initiatives, though detailed policy proposals concerning asylum seekers within gender-based violence programs have not yet been released.
Supporters of the open letter are calling for clear assurances that immigration status will not be a barrier to accessing safety and justice. As the government considers the next phase of its strategy, pressure is growing to ensure that those who have fled danger elsewhere are not left exposed to harm in the UK.
Background:
Here is how this event developed over time:
- July 2021 – The UK government publishes its “Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy“, setting out measures to address gender-based violence across England and Wales.
- December 2022 – A report by Refugee Council highlights that asylum-seeking women face increased risks of abuse and limited access to protective services due to insecure immigration status.
- May 2023 – The Labour Party begins consultation on an updated strategy to combat violence against women and girls, aiming to address gaps in support and enforcement.
- March 2024 – Women’s rights groups raise concerns that Labour’s draft proposals insufficiently address the needs of migrant and asylum-seeking women.
- June 2024 – A coalition of influential women issues an open letter urging Labour to include asylum seekers in its anti-violence plans, warning of a “two-tier system” that leaves vulnerable women unprotected.