Lilian Seenoi her Woman on the Move Award.
A Kenyan refugee living in Derry has scooped a prestigious award for her voluntary work with migrants, refugees and asylum seekers living in the city.
Lilian Seenoi was presented with the “Woman of the Year” at the “Women on the Move Awards” in London – the first woman from the North to receive the accolade.
Lilian, a 32 year old Maasai, was involved with community development work for 15 years in her native Kenya and is now founder of the North West Migrants Forum in Derry.
Currently, she is studying a BSc in Community and Youth Studies as well a busy mother whilst volunteering a lot of her time working with migrants, refugees and asylum seekers living locally.
Mayor of Derry, Cllr Martin Reilly congratulated Lilian on receiving the award.
He said: “The aim of the awards is to highlight that migrant and refugee women make an exceptional contribution to our society.
He said: “It is a great recognition for the help that Lilian has provided for thousands of women in her country and the work she continues to do with migrant workers here across the city. She is a great ambassador representing minority groups in this City.”
Sue Divin, Community Relations Officer with Derry City Council revealed while working as an activist for women’s rights in Kenya, Lilian rescued approximately 5,000 girls from early arranged marriage, being forced out of education and FGM (Female Genital Mutilation).
She added: “Very often this work was counter-cultural and faces opposition, in particular from some men within the Maasai tradition.
“When her work led to serious death threats against not only her own life, but the life of her young son, Lilian was forced to leave Kenya and apply for asylum within the UK.
“She came to Derry a number of years ago and was awarded refugee status. Lilian is very interested in politics, human rights and equality: this is what drives her passion to fight for the rights of migrants and challenge discrimination and racism locally.”
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