African women-led. Lived experience. Lasting change.
Empowering African women. Advancing rights. Transforming communities.
A Nottingham charity advancing the rights, equality and wellbeing of African women, refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. Rooted in lived experience. Led by community.
AWEF RISE · The Women’s Empowerment Tour
Rise, together.
A gathering for African women ready to connect, learn and lead. Meet the people, share the ideas and open new doors.
November 2026Cities and dates announced soon
African Women Empowerment Forum
From grassroots action to a trusted women-led organisation.
Educate a woman. Empower a nation.
Discover our storyFounded in Nottingham in 2006 by African women with lived experience of migration, refuge and the asylum system, AWEF has grown from a grassroots community initiative into a trusted organisation supporting women and families across Nottingham, the East Midlands and beyond.
AWEF was created because African refugee, asylum-seeking and migrant women recognised that their voices, experiences and needs were not always adequately represented within existing services and institutions.
We believe that women who have experienced inequality, migration, displacement and the challenges of rebuilding their lives should not simply be recipients of services. They should help shape the solutions.
Lived experience informs how we identify needs, develop programmes, advocate for women and work with partners to create wider change.
Who we are
Led by African women. Shaped by lived experience.
The women closest to the challenges are central to designing the solutions. Their knowledge shapes our priorities, programmes, partnerships and advocacy.
African women-led
Our leadership is rooted in the communities we serve, bringing cultural understanding, trust and accountability to the work.
Lived experience
We listen carefully, recognise recurring barriers and turn individual experience into better collective responses.
Rights and dignity
We help women understand their rights, strengthen their voice and reach appropriate support without judgement.
Our work
Six connected areas of support and change.
Support today. Opportunity tomorrow. Stronger communities for the future.
Refugee & migrant women
We help women navigate unfamiliar services, reduce isolation and build the knowledge and confidence needed to settle, participate and move forward.
Rights & equality
We build awareness of everyday rights and help women recognise discrimination, understand available options and communicate their concerns.
Advocacy & access to justice
We help women prepare questions, organise information, express their wishes and reach suitable services.
Health, wellbeing & recovery
Our wellbeing work supports women affected by migration trauma, domestic abuse, isolation and other life crises.
Education, skills & economic empowerment
We help women build knowledge, qualifications, employability and enterprise confidence.
Leadership & community voice
We create opportunities for women to develop confidence, speak from experience and participate in decisions.
From lived experience to systemic change
Nothing about women without women.
We respond to immediate needs, learn from recurring experiences and work with partners so services and systems respond more fairly.
- Listen
Hear women’s priorities
- Support
Respond to immediate needs
- Learn
Recognise recurring barriers
- Evidence
Build collective insight
- Advocate
Influence decisions
- Change
Improve systems and outcomes
Need support?
You do not have to navigate it alone.
Contact AWEF for help understanding services, finding a suitable programme, preparing for an appointment or reaching an appropriate specialist organisation.
AWEF is not a regulated legal-advice provider and does not provide regulated legal or specialist advice. Where needed, we refer or signpost women to suitably qualified professionals.
AWEF is not an emergency service. If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you cannot speak, press 55 when prompted.
Work with us
Build better responses with women, not around them.
We work with voluntary organisations, public services, funders, employers and community partners who share our commitment to dignity, equality and lasting change.
AWEF @ 20
20 years of empowering women and communities.
Since 2006, AWEF has worked alongside African women, refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and families through integration support; education and digital skills; health and wellbeing; food and emergency support; advocacy and signposting; employment and enterprise; leadership development; community research; events and partnership.
“AWEF played a very huge role. We thank God that I’m tumour-free. We cleared the hospital bill and everything needed for my wellbeing. May God bless you abundantly. Words are not enough, but thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.”Priscilar Kamau, Kenyan community, supported by AWEF in 2021
Get involved
Stand with African women and families.
Join the community, contribute to the work, volunteer your skills or help us form stronger partnerships.
01
Join
Become a member and access mentorship, coaching and community connection.
Join the forum02
Contribute
Help fund practical support, opportunity and community-led change.
Make a donation03
Volunteer
Share your time and expertise with a women-led organisation rooted in community.
Volunteer with usNews and events
Stories, updates and gatherings.
What is happening across AWEF and the communities we work alongside.
20 Years of African Women-Led Change
Founded in Nottingham in 2006, AWEF has grown from lived experience into a community-led platform for support, leadership and systemic change.
Read moreRights, Equality and Justice: Our Approach
AWEF works alongside women so they can understand their rights, access appropriate support and influence decisions that affect them.
Read moreHow AWEF Supports Women and Families
Explore AWEF’s holistic support, from advocacy and advisory sessions to family mentoring, education, enterprise and international development.
Read moreOur community
Rooted in Nottingham. Led by women.
Women leading, learning and gathering together, from AWEF’s early community sessions to today.
More ways to belong
Join us. Share your voice. Support our work.
Come to an event, become a member, volunteer or give what you can.
Make a donation
Help turn support into lasting change.
Every gift helps AWEF deliver practical, culturally responsive support for women and families and build stronger community-led solutions.