BME Women’s Project
The underlying aim of the BME Women’s Project, which operates within the aims and objectives of the Glasgow Women’s Library Lifelong Learning programme, is to:
- Promote the participation of BME women in lifelong learning, arts and creative opportunities.
- Celebrate the success and achievements of BME women in Glasgow through capturing and compiling their life stories and preserving them at Glasgow Women’s Library.
- Promote the integration of women from diverse backgrounds.
- Advise and support the GWL team in providing culturally competent services to meet the diverse needs of BME women.
Documenting Migrant Women’s Stories
Syma writes: Being a Scottish-born Muslim and generation three of Pakistani families settled in Glasgow, I had pleasure in developing the Women’s Migration Project at GWL. This has been the main project I have developed this year. I am keen to capture and document stories of migrant communities, particularly women, and celebrate how they enriched the City of Glasgow by bringing with them their distinct cultural heritages, traditions, faiths and cultures.
I have achieved this in number of ways:
Intergenerational Study of Migrant Women in Glasgow
My grandparents migrated to Glasgow in the 1960s for work opportunities. Like many other migrants my grandparents planned to return to their home country, but they decided to remain. It only made sense to use my family as an initial pilot for documenting migrant women’s history. Therefore I requested my Gran, Aunt Shafquat and Cousin Saadya to take part in a pilot study initiated by the Scottish Migration Network exploring differences and similarities of Pakistani families in Scotland.
Women, Migration and Pollokshields
Working alongside the Pollokshields Development Association (PDA), an exciting and much needed project has been setup to collect the stories of migrant women who have settled in Pollokshields, which is currently and historically has been an area with a high migrant population.
The project aims to complete interviews with migrant women which will be included in a publication, and launched on International Women’s Day with a complementary exhibition to follow at St Mungo’s Museum.
Reminiscence
Women at the Dixon Centre and Minority Ethnic Elderly Care Centre in Glasgow (originally from South-Asia) explored their life history from childhood memories to becoming a young woman, marriage, having children and migrating to Glasgow. Creative ways were used to spark discussion within the group, such as using the handling kits from Open Museum, in particular the Pakistani kit and Tenement Life kits. The women enjoyed this type of interaction where they were able to relate their untold stories.
Other events from the BME Project:
BME-themed film nights
The monthly BME-themed film night aims to screen thought-provoking films every month that raise issues relevant to BME women. The film screening is followed by a group discussion where women are able to express their thoughts about the matters raised within the film.
Women have opportunities to view films for free (that are not usually shown in mainstream cinema) in a women-only, safe and secure environment. As well as the social interaction, women enjoy the treats provided such as popcorn, nachos and soft drinks. We would be happy to hear your suggestions for future film night screenings. Check the calendar for upcoming film nights.
