SONIA KHOURY 

2015

WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER   

Sonia, a qualified medical doctor, arrived in the UK in October 2011 to do her PhD in Health Sciences. Whilst here, war in Syria broke out, forcing her to claimed asylum due to the spreading violence. Sonia is now settled in Wales with her young daughter. Sonia Khoury is a powerful spokesperson for refugee women and someone who works tirelessly to help others. In Syria, Sonia had worked helping refugees who had fled Iraq, before events in Syria forced her to be a refugee herself.

In her work at Black Association of Women Step Out Women’s Aid, Sonia supports migrant women, particularly those fleeing domestic abuse, to establish a new life and to settle independently in the UK. Sonia is a tireless advocate on the situation of Syrian refugees, and has spoken movingly about her own experiences as a Syrian refugee. Sonia is undertaking an MPhil on reproductive care provision for refugees and asylum seekers. Accepting her award, Sonia Khoury said: “As a woman, and a refugee, I know how difficult it is for Syrians. I want to reflect that experience and make their voices heard. Women are so powerful, and whatever the obstacles, we can overcome them together.”