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In the heart of Europe, the Netherlands is gearing up for a pivotal moment—the upcoming national election on the 22nd of November. While it may seem like a routine political event to some, for migrants and especially refugee women, it signifies a beacon of hope and an opportunity for genuine change. For us, election is not just about choosing political leaders; it's about shaping the narrative and policies that directly impact the lives of those who have move in or sought refuge in the Netherlands.
Migration is not merely a bureaucratic process; it is a human experience filled with challenges and triumphs. Refugee women, in particular, face unique struggles, from cultural adaptation to navigating unfamiliar systems. This election is an avenue for their voices to be heard and for their concerns to be addressed on a broader scale. However, not every person impacted by the outcome of the elections have the right to vote, as severall campaigns have shown, such as IkHebGeenStem.nl. That is why we have the collective responsability to make sure that our vision - an inclusive, intersectional vision where migrant and refugees are considered co-creators of policies - is represented in these elections.
Here's how we're going to do that, together. #NothingAboutUsWithoutUS.
Migrants and refugees have taken the stage to tell their tales - We ask you to share their stories and amplify their voices
The European Network Against Racism - ENAR, organised the first pan-european anti-racism festival in October, the #MAkeRacismHistory Festival 2023. Together with the Ivorian Community of Greece, New Women Connectors co-hosted a story telling event in the Netherlands and Greece: Our Diaries - the untold stories of migrants and refugees. During this event, we created a space in which refugee and migrant storytellers took ownership and authorship of their stories, to tell their tales in the way they wanted to.
Juma
Juma Hafeez is 25 years old from Afghanistan. Since 2017 he was separated from his family. He lived in Saudi Arabia before he arrived as an asylum seeker to the Netherlands. He has been for over 2 years in the asylum procedure now. He plays high level football and speaks 10 languages. He loves working with youth and wants to start his own organisation to help the people in Afghanistan.
To watch extracts of Juma's story, click HERE
Ekram
Ekram Jalboutt is an activist, writer and humanitarian worker based in Amsterdam. Her fate led her to settle in the Netherlands leaving a whole life behind in Syria. She shares stories about Syria and Palestine, the countries she belongs to. Through her compelling storytelling, she invites us to fly over these beautiful countries and to places we have never been to. She tells the plots of her life and the struggles faced by those who call these regions home.
To watch extracts of Ekram's story, click HERE
Oumaima
Oumaima Rawas is a Syrian Greek national, with a 40 year hands-on experience - she followed a career in business development, international relations, community service and education. She is a humanitarian and an activist with deep rooted ideals and a hunger to help the less fortunate. She is a founding member of the Center for Research and Action on Peace (KEDE), a women's non-governmental organization working in the area of peaceful resolution of conflict, peace education, empowerment of women and combating trafficking of women and children. Also, she is a founding member of the WINPEACE initiative - women's initiative for peace between women from Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus. Oumaima has previously been elected as Vice President and acting President of the Syrian Arab League in Greece - where she took part in two delegations to the EU Parliament representing Greece to help improve the role of women in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2016 onwards Oumaima worked as a Cultural Advisor and Social Scientist – along with her role as board member and director of public relations for the Syrian home in Greece, an organisation for the upkeep and help of Syrian Immigrants in Greece.
To watch extracts of Oumaima's story, click HERE
michael
Michael Afolayan is Greek, with parents from Nigeria. He is a musician, actor, performer and artivists - he uses his art to advocate for human rights. He is particularly interested in street theater, and circus, and has co-founded the Circus School of Athens. During his years of artivism, he has also co-founded the anasa Culture Center, a human rights oriented grassroots organisation promoting African Arts and intercultural relationship between Africa and Greece.
To watch extracts of Michael's story, click HERE
Fotini
Fotini Sianou is a dedicated activist for 40 years, she champions peace, human rights, and gender equality. She has been an elected union member, served on the board of the Research Centre for Gender Equality, is President of the Center for Research and Action on Peace (KEDE), a founding member of WINPEACE (women’s initiative for peace) and holds leadership roles in women's organizations. She's been the Greek UN representative for gender equality, a peace advocate in conflict zones, and a non-violence communication trainer. Currently, she coordinates the "Committee for Family Law and Consensual Custody" and leads the "Initiative against Femicide" with 25 women's and feminist organizations.
To watch extracts of Fontini's story, click HERE
Sam
Samsideen Iddrisu is from Ghana and has lived in Greece for over 30 years. Throughout his life he has been active in many different organisations and movements. He is founding member and former president of the Pan African Association in Greece, former president of SOS Racism Greece and former vice president of the Greek Forum for Migrants. He is also the president of Humanity First Greece, member of Cosmos of Culture Greece and project manager of African House Greece. Sam has been an activist for many years on racism, discrimination, migrants, refugees and human rights & social justice issues.
To watch extracts of Sam's story, click HERE
These powerful people told their stories from the world during the stroytelling event Our Diaries. As we are sharing little by little snippets of their tales on our social media - TikTok and Instagram - make sure to spread their voices, and call for anyone who can to vote on the 22nd of November.
Now it's time to bring OUR voices to the stage #NothingAboutUSWithoutUS
"This election is more than just casting a vote; it is a collective effort to reshape the narrative surrounding migration. It is an opportunity to challenge stereotypes, dismantle barriers, and foster a society that values diversity and inclusivity. The Dutch election serves as a catalyst for change, a chance to build bridges between communities and foster a sense of belonging for all residents, regardless of their origin.So, as the Netherlands prepares to make a choice, let it be a choice for progress, equality, and a brighter future—one where every voice is not just heard but actively shapes the path forward." - Anila Noor, founder of New Women Connectors
The Dutch national elections will take place on the 22nd of November. HERE you can find some general information about the elections, including who's allowed to vote. Many of us cannot vote, but some of us do. If you can vote, remember you are not only voting for yourself, but also for all the one's that to do not have a voice.
New Women Connectors has reached out to the parties running for the Dutch national elections, and asked them three questions. Here’s what they answered, in alphabetical oder:
Disclaimer: Not every party had or took the time to answer to our questions. We are aware that it is very busy election time and some parties, especially the smaller one's, don’t always have the capacity to answer. We suggest you to do your own research and read the party programs from their websites. Also, visit websites with information about each party's view on migration, such as this one.
Do you have people in your team people of migrant/refugee background? Are you planning to have some once elected?
"At the moment we have Reginald Diepenhorst on our list of candidates, with an Asian background and my daughter in law is from Morocco."
How do you take into consideration intersectionality when making your policies?
"The best woman man or person gets the job , no matter race religion our sexuality"
How are you planning on including migrant and refugee communities in your future policy making?
"When a person is integrated he can work live and get a basis income in Europe, we are all gods children..."
Do you have people in your team people of migrant/refugee background? Are you planning to have some once elected?
"Yes, multiple candidates and team members have a migratory background. We don’t think it’s necessary to mention who because we prefer to think outside of boxes. We come from all around the world and belong to one single planet. The youth who run our party are more progressive to issues of diversity and inclusion because it comes as natural (we don’t know any better)."
How do you take into consideration intersectionality when making your policies?
"By never falling for frames that divide and dehumanize groups of people. The fight for Climate, Racial, Social, Gender, LGBTQIA+, Body and Generational Justice is one and the same. In putting together our candidate list and party program we involved multiple sounds and perspectives."
How are you planning on including migrant and refugee communities in your future policy making?
"By supporting universal policies always (Healthcare, education, a basic income, housing et cetera). LEF literally means to have a heart. So we are there for everyone with a heartbeat. We Always protect minorities in society. Our focus is on youth because they are disenfranchised with it comes to their future and are extra vulnerable / have the most time to spend on earth. LEF would rather see all boundaries and fences disappear We want to end exploitation, neo-colonialism and the patriarchy. This improves everyone’s chances for a life in freedom and dignity."
Do you have people in your team with a migrant/refugee background?
"Daniela Stols is on the candidate list as number 7. She was trained in Brazil as an internist-enocrinologist. She came to the Netherlands at the age of 29 for love. In Amsterdam she works as a medical doctor and is head of the Clinical Trial Unit, where she is responsible for
approximately fifty studies that also relate to lifestyle, such as obesity and diabetes."
Are you planning to include some of them in your team once your party is elected?
"We are a starting party that has health as a starting point. We do not exclude anyone. Members and candidates may decide for themselves whether to register and stand as a candidate in elections."
How do you take intersectionality into account when making your policies?
"Inclusion and accessibility belong in sports and exercise. Health is important for every individual. There are still many objectives to be achieved, but we are on the right track."
How do you plan to involve migrant and refugee communities in your future policymaking?
"Sports and exercise fraternize and connect. There are many projects for migrant and refugee communities that are organized by the sports and exercise program. We embrace and encourage these projects. We welcome collaboration with local parties, such as municipalities and neighborhood sports coaches."
Do you have people on your team with a migrant/refugee background? Do you plan to include some on your team once your party is elected?
"The chairman of the Pirate Party has a refugee background. Several team members have a migration background and are candidates. Depending on the number of seats won, they'll take a seat in the House of Representatives."
How do you take intersectionality into account when making your policies?
"We are aware that people can deviate from 'the norm' in several areas at the same time and the consequences this can have. In our policy we try to recognize the consequences of this and mitigate them as much as possible."
How do you plan to involve migrant and refugee communities in your future policy making?
"The Pirate Party-The Greens actively seek contact with all population groups, for example by distributing flyers and applying YourPriorities."
Do you have people on your team with a migrant/refugee background? Do you plan to include some on your team once your party is elected?
"There are people on our candidate list with a "migration background”."
How do you take intersectionality into account when making your policies?
"We do not treat everyone the same, but equally. The SP takes into account different people's backgrounds where necessary and useful. We judge people first and foremost by what they do and what they are able to do."
How do you plan to involve migrant and refugee communities in your future policy making?
"We always try to work with people rather than for people. We talk to as many people as possible to form our ideas and to hear what could be better in the Netherlands."
Do you have in your team people of migrant/refugee background? Are you planning to have some once elected?
"Yes, we do have people in our team with a migration history or who fled because of war or political reasons. The funny thing is, we don't search for them. At Splinter we don't look at where you’re from, the color of your skin or what your religion is. We look at who you are as a person. Every person has some unique talent and this is what for us is the most important thing. Because of this a lot of people, who are totally different from each other, feel at home at Splinter. Immigrants from other parties are stepping over to Splinter because at the other party they were always the “immigrant” and they got the feeling because of this they got extra attention and changes. At Splinter this is not the case, everyone has the same changes. This is how we have a brilliant 20 year old man, who’s family fled from Iran, as candidate number 6."
How do you take into consideration intersectionality when making your policies?
"Absolutely. But not from victimhood but from strength. We fight for every group to be equal in changes. We will fight for every religion (and the right to not believe) and for every sexual orientation. We have only one rule: Your freedom stops where it interferes in the freedom of another."
How are you planning on including migrant and refugee communities in your future policy making?
"Like every party we will continue to talk to the people who matter. The people who are or were in this situation. Our focus will be on children, women and people with a LGBTI background. We have a very "low profile tool" that is called the “FractieKamer”. In this tool everyone can interact with our policies and give us information when there is a debate."
Do you have in your team people of migrant/refugee background? Are you planning to have some once elected?
"Yes, in our current team we have people from a migrant/refugee background. We will continue this after the elections. Diversity in our team brings the most valuable insights."
How do you take into consideration intersectionality when making your policies?
"We have an inclusioncluster within Volt Europe. This means we consult organized minorties within Volt Europe while writing policy manuals and our election program."
How are you planning on including migrant and refugee communities in your future policy making?
"The same as we have done the last two years. Humane migration policy is one of our priorities. We have a policy team that includes experts on migration and people who have a refugee background themselves."
Follow our TikTok and Instagram page to see our storytellers telling their tales. We will also share information on the parties running for elction, and invite you to go vote on the 22nd of November. Remeber that our voices together can be heard. #NothingAboutUsWithoutUS to #MakeRacismHistory.
Spread the word. Share. If you can, GO VOTE.