Harshita deserved safety. She deserved protection. She deserved to live.

We honour her by fighting for the change that could save others. 7/🧵

And we renew our calls for an end to dowry-related abuse and a public inquiry into femicide.

These deaths are not isolated tragedies – they are part of a systemic pattern that must be confronted with transparency, accountability, and political courage. 6/🧵

This means:
➡️ Extending the MVDAC-DVILR combined model to all victim-survivors, regardless of immigration status.
➡️ Creating a full firewall between police, statutory agencies, and Immigration Enforcement so victim-survivors can seek help safely. 5/🧵

We call on the government to ensure Harshita’s perpetrator is brought to justice.

And we demand urgent reforms so no woman is forced to choose between safety and the fear of destitution and deportation. 4/🧵

Today, we hold her family in our thoughts as we pay tribute to her life.

But remembrance must be paired with action. Harshita was failed, and unless change comes, more Black, minoritised, and migrant women will be too. 3/🧵

At the vigil held near the place she was found, we honoured who Harshita was: vibrant, loving, deeply valued.

We also named the institutional failings that left her unprotected, unheard, and vulnerable. 2/🧵

After an engaging discussion with thoughtful reflections, it was a wrap.

Last night showed what’s possible when voices unite.

But let’s be clear: unless government acts, Black, minoritised, and migrant women will remain at risk.

We won’t stop until ALL women are safe.

22/🧵

The roundtable then opened for discussion:

How do we tackle the epidemic of VAWG?

And how can government ensure ALL women are included in its strategy?

21/🧵

Learn more about @4refugeewomen.bsky.social and their vital work: www.refugeewomen.co.uk/welcome-ever....

20/🧵

👉 Alternatives to detention, moving towards ending it altogether
👉 Right to work for asylum seekers and dependents

These reforms would protect women, ease Home Office pressures, and strengthen the VAWG strategy.

19/🧵

Andrea called for reforms to protect refugee women:
👉 Fair and timely asylum decisions
👉 Safe, community-based housing

18/🧵

Any government serious about ending VAWG must include ALL women.

Excluding refugee women creates a two-tier system where some lives are treated as less deserving.

That is unconscionable.

17/🧵

These harms aren’t accidents – they are features of the UK asylum process.

And they put refugee women at risk of further abuse.

16/🧵

Next, Andrea Vukovic, Co-Director @4refugeewomen.bsky.social.

Most women seeking safety in the UK are victim-survivors of violence.

But the asylum system retraumatises them: detention, unsafe hotels, destitution, work bans.

15/🧵