Inspirational woman wins award

Lilian Seenoi scooped the ‘Women on the Move’ Award, which is part of the Women of the World Festival, at a gala reception on Friday in London. She is the first woman from Northern Ireland to achieve the title.

For her own part, Lilian is a 32-year-old Maasai woman from Kenya who has been involved with community development work for 15 years in her native country and is now founder of the North West Migrants Forum in Londonderry. Currently she is studying a BSc in Community and Youth Studies, is also a busy mother while undertaking volunteering work with migrants, refugees and asylum seekers living locally.

Congratulating Lilian on her accolade, the Mayor, Martin Reilly, said: “The aim of the awards is to highlight that migrant and refugee women make an exceptional contribution to our society. The awards are organised and presented by three organisations. A London based group called ‘The Forum’ which works with migrants in London, The UK wide NGO ‘Migrants’ Rights Network’ and the Office of the United Nations High commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). It is a great recognition for the help that Lilian has provided for thousands of women in her country and the work she continues to do with Migrant workers here across the city. She is a great ambassador representing minority groups in this City.”

Sue Divin, Community Relations Officer with Derry City Council said: “Working as an activist for womens’ rights in Kenya, Lilian rescued approximately 5,000 girls from early arranged marriage, being forced out of education and female genital mutilation. Very often this work was counter-cultural and faces opposition, in particular from some men within the Maasai tradition.

“When her work led to serious death threats against not only her own life, but the life of her young son, Lilian was forced to leave Kenya and apply for asylum within the UK. She came to Derry a number of years ago and was awarded refugee status. Lilian is very interested in politics, human rights and equality: This is what drives her passion to fight for the rights of migrants and challenge discrimination and racism locally,” she said.

For more information on the North West Migrants Forum telephone 028 7151 0230 or visit http://nwmf.org.uk/services/

For more information on how to get involved in the Women of the Year Awards visit www.womenonthemoveawards.org.uk