Women Asylum Seekers in the UK – Short Documentary

🎥 Women Asylum Seekers in the UK – Short Documentary

In collaboration with Hope Projects in Birmingham, Anti-Type Films, and the Twelve 01 Project, the Centre for Transnational Development and Collaboration (CTDC) has produced a short documentary focusing on the lived experiences of women asylum seekers in the UK.
The film draws on interviews with women seeking asylum, as well as insights from academics and practitioners working in the field.

🔍 Key Challenges Highlighted
The documentary highlights the multiple challenges women face while awaiting the outcome of their asylum claims, including:

• Prolonged destitution

• Involvement in survival sex work

• Lack of access to material resources

One of the most alarming findings is how UK asylum law can indirectly pressure women into having children as a means of avoiding destitution.

👩‍⚖️ Women’s Experiences vs. Men’s
The film also explores how women’s experiences in the asylum system often differ from those of men.
Women arriving as dependents of male relatives or partners frequently encounter added barriers to autonomy, safety, and legal recognition.

💔 Emotional and Psychological Impact
In addition to the legal and procedural challenges, the film reveals the emotional and psychological toll of seeking asylum.
Many women express deep feelings of isolation and disconnection from their home countries, communities, and families—especially when asylum processes extend for years, sometimes over a decade.

🌍 Why This Film Matters
This documentary contributes to a better understanding of the gendered dimensions of asylum and brings visibility to the often-unspoken realities faced by women.
It is now available for public viewing on CTDC’s official YouTube channel.