About us

Asha Projects is a dedicated feminist black and minority women’s organisation run by and for South Asian women.  This peer support helps provide a trusted escape route from violent relationships that damage both physical and mental health. Throughout the organisation, vulnerable women are given an opportunity to take the first step in rebuilding their confidence, wider relationships and ultimately the future for themselves and their children.

Ending violence against women and women’s empowerment is the core mandate (work, function) of ASHA.

1970

In the 1970’s, against a backdrop of rising anti-immigrant rhetoric, racist attacks and threats to workers’ rights, a group of activist women started to meet.  They were concerned that the mainstream organisations were not meeting the needs of South Asian women.

1976

the meetings led to the formation of the Asian Women Community Workers Group (AWCWG). AWCWG carry out the groundwork needed to establish a Resource Centre to campaign for and secure rights and support for marginalised women and enable them to access support in a women friendly manner.

1979

AWCWG set up the first specialist South Asian women’s refuge in the UK.

1984

We changed our name as ASHA. which means “hope”. Today, Asha provides vital specialist support to South Asian women in the face of poverty, racism, isolation, lack of specialist provision caused by recent and current government funding cuts.