Refugee-Turned-Advocate Mina Jaf Shares Her Story
Though the political process can feel isolating at times, most of us have a cause or group of causes that we want to stay connected to. IssueVoter hopes to give each individual an opportunity to become an advocate for those causes, and for that reason we’re excited to introduce our Advocate Spotlight Series. We will interview the passionate and driven people who spend their time working for the causes they care about.
We hope that in sharing their stories we can give our IssueVoter community a closer look at the issues that matter to them, and perhaps those they know less about. After all, an informed voter is the best kind of voter.
We’re honored to kick off our Advocate Spotlight Series with Mina Jaf, founder of Women Refugee Route. WRR is an NGO that works to give female refugees access to information on their rights and to increase their visibility through international advocacy.
Mina’s story is a brave one: she and her family were displaced from Kurdistan when she was born and she spent 11 years as a refugee before settling in Denmark. She now spends her time advocating for those who find themselves displaced and in a time of need. Here, Mina shares the struggles facing female refugees, a typical day in the life of a refugee advocate, and what you can do to get involved…
Having once been a refugee yourself, this work must feel so personal to you. Can you share a bit about your background and how you came to be an advocate?
I have been a refugee since I was born in Kurdistan during the chemical gas attack in Halabja in 1988. Since then we have been displaced in different locations because of conflicts and war until we finally settled in Denmark when I was 11 years old where I lived in an asylum center until I was 15. During my time as a refugee I have seen all the horrible things that a woman experiences while fleeing. I have, since I can remember, decided that I have to use my voice and fight for these women and it is a personal goal for me to speak for their cause.
It must have taken incredible strength for your mother to lead your family through displacement for so many years. How has her influence shaped the woman you’ve become?
No doubt that my mother is incredibly brave as she has been through a lot because of the challenges of being female in a male-dominated world. It has of course influenced me as I know what she has been through as a refugee, as a single mother, as a provider and as a role model to us. She has given me guidance and shown me hope for what I am battling for today.
What is a typical day like for a refugee advocate?
Advocating for refugee women and girls plays a huge part in my daily routines whether I am in the field assisting or at high level meetings advocating better conditions for female refugees. No two days are similar, but an example of a typical day is that I take on up to 4 or 5 sensitive cases early in the morning.. It can be anything from health issues to their asylum procedures. For example, with sensitive health cases I usually go with the women to the hospital and assist with translation. At high-level meetings, I usually collect my thoughts through the experiences that I have from the field to raise a loud voice for refugee women and girls.
What would you say is the biggest challenge facing female refugees specifically?
I would definitely say that there is a challenge providing information to female refugees. A huge challenge is the lack of priority to female refugees — a lack of attention and their vulnerability. As a refugee it is more difficult to be a female and because of this they have a greater need that isn’t being met.
You’ve seen so much of the world. Is there a country that you think is handling the refugee crisis particularly well?
Of course there are countries that are better than others in handling the situation, but in general I think all countries receiving refugees can do a much better job. I think the main issue is to provide resources to the situation in order to decrease time spent in asylum centers and refugee camps. Resources to provide a better and faster asylum procedure. Refugees do not want to be refugees but rather normal citizens just like you and I.
You were in New York for the UN Summit. What was that like? Any highlights?
It was very instructive and I am pleased that I have tried to carry and represent the voices of refugee women and girls. As I mentioned in my remarks in the civil society hearing, the Global Compact has a strong language and I hope that we can start taking some real action instead of empty talks. I think the biggest highlight for me was when refugees had the chance to have real dialogue with member states and with the general secretary. This has not happened before so I was very pleased to see this come together.
If you could tell the world one thing about refugees, what would it be?
Refugees are human beings like you and I. They did not choose to be refugees and we should remember that. It is not a choice. It is forced displacement and the world should have that in mind.
How can people get involved if they want to send their support?
There are many ways that people can get involved. Many civil society organisations work on the refugee cause and they always need good-hearted people to volunteer. I would say to just approach the organisations and I am sure they will accept your assistance with open arms.
Thank you for sharing your story, Mina!
If you’d like to be considered for our Advocate Spotlight Series, please send a brief introduction to alaina@issuevoter.org
