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This International Women’s Day, the theme ‘Balance the Scales’ reminds us of the urgent need for fair, inclusive, and accessible justice for every woman and girl. At the Asylum Seekers Centre, we see this challenge – and this hope – every day through the lived experiences of the women in our community.
Their stories show that fairness and justice are not abstract ideals. They are lived in the courage to rebuild a life from scratch, the determination to stand up for what is right, and the strength drawn from family, faith, and community support.
For many women seeking asylum, life is a continuous act of balancing – between rebuilding a life and healing from past trauma, between caring for family and finding opportunities to grow, between navigating systemic barriers and asserting their rights.
For Nadia*, strength comes from both her journey and her family. “My strength comes from my journey as a single mother and from overcoming many challenges as a refugee. Building my business through hard work and resilience has shaped me, but my greatest strength comes from my three children. My daughters especially inspire me every day to lead by example and keep moving forward.”
Her story reminds us that justice is not just about rules, but about standing up for what is right and ensuring every person is treated with dignity.
Thouraya sees fairness as the foundation of peace and equality. “Fairness is a necessity to build peace and equality. It is the hand that gives everyone their proper rights without discrimination.”
Her inner strength comes from faith and alignment of mind and soul.
“My strength comes firstly from my faith in Allah and then this unity between my soul and my thoughts which make me always feel this inner peace, no conflicts, no complexity. And believing in destiny,” she says.
For Amali*, fairness and justice are inseparable from opportunity and community.
“Woman fairness is having the same opportunity as opposite gender in term of work rights, study rights and able to make decisions independently for my own life without need for validation from others,” she says.
“My children treated with respect and have same opportunities in school, not being discriminated for visa status, ethnic or religion and cultural values.”
This extends to her personal journey as a refugee: “As a refugee, the opportunity to rebuild life from fresh start, people don’t judge me or my circumstances, people are able to embrace me as a human being that has rights to voice my opinion.”
For Amali, justice is about safety, accountability, and the freedom to speak: “Justice is able to voice my opinion, and stand with justice without fear of being invalidated by society or persecuted by government.
She also highlights the transformative power of community: “Community support that creates a safe belonging environment like ASC Auburn, feels like a family!”
These voices show that balancing the scales is not only about legal systems or policies, but about everyday acts of resilience, the courage to claim one’s rights, and the support of others who create spaces of belonging.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women in our community whose strength, wisdom, and hope illuminate the path toward a more just and equitable world. Their stories inspire us to continue advocating for fairness, justice, and opportunity for every woman and girl.
