November 26 – Women Refugees: Getting Lost in the Asylum Process

Given that most asylum laws and international policies are still written by men, oftentimes the specific issues of female refugees are neglected. Many women flee their home countries for reasons different than men: ‘honor’ killings, domestic violence or escaping rape as a tool of war. Yet oftentimes these circumstances are not recognized by government policy as valid asylum reasons and many women are sent back to face violence and death threats against themselves and their children. Sister Karin has experience with women from many different countries getting lost in the asylum process and will be their voice to help bring these issues into public awareness.
__________________________________
Sister Karin Johansson is a nun living at Alsike Kloster outside of Uppsala. For the past 40 years, Alsike Kloster has been providing sanctuary to refugees. Hundreds of refugees have passed through the monastery through the years. Some stayed a few hours, some several years. Sister Karin and her fellow nuns have also taken political, social and legal action to advocate for refugee rights while turning their faith and compassion into a way of life. Everyday they share their home with 60 men, women and children who are fleeing violence, persecution, looming threats and death. The sisters received the prize “Årets livsgärning” at the Svenska Hjälte-gala in 2014. In 2012 the sisters received the Nonviolence prize by the
Christian Peace Movement. Sister Karin has appeared on TV, been a Sommarpratare on Radio P1, and has given several public lectures on the issues facing refugees.
Date: 26/11/2018
Time: 6:15-7:45 PM
Place: Hörsal 1, Ekonomikum
Free admission!
In collaboration with Folkuniversitetet and Amnesty Kvinnorättsgrupp Uppsala.