FiLiA spoke with lesbians living in block 13 of Kakuma refugee camp Kelly, Eva, Keryn, Juliet, Seema, Latifah, Ann-Marie, Brenda and Regina.

Escaping violence and lesbophobia in their home country, these women are sent by UNHCR to Kakuma refugee camp. As they are seeking asylum due to their sexuality they are put in the LGBT Block 13. This identifies them to other refugees in the camp and they suffer ongoing violence and abuse as a result. The UNHCR and Police have been informed of these crimes but do nothing to support them or keep them safe.

“Every woman deserves to be respected, Women have no dignity here, Please help us.”

FOR WAYS TO HELP please read this CAMPAIGN PACK, which details how you can support including: volunteering as a counsellor, donating funds, signing a petition, emailing UNHCR (the pack includes a draft letter & addresses) and sharing on social media.

FiLiA production note - the audio quality of this recording has been optimised to the best of our ability, given the circumstances. We hope listeners will persist and hear these important messages. Thank you to the women who shared their stories for this podcast, and our volunteers Sally Jackson (interviewing) and Toyin Jimoh (editing).