Maggie’s Story
Content warning: this article features references to gender-based violence and other sensitive content
How gender-based violence turned a sports journalist into a refugee
Maggie was born and grew up in Sierra Leone, a country on the southwest coast of West Africa. As a soccer-loving student with big dreams, Maggie decided to forge a path in sports journalism. She admits she would’ve loved to have been a top athlete. But her family encouraged her to commit to work that would economically support her.
After working hard to forge a career in journalism, she moved into sports reporting, broadcasting, and photography. Her career soared. Before she knew it, she was invited to report on Sierra Leone’s top sport stars globally, from the Olympics to the Commonwealth Games.
As she was maturing into a professional and empowered individual, she became involved in advocating for the health of women and girls, due to the dangerous practice of female genital mutilation (FGM).
In Sierra Leone, FGM (also known as female “cutting”), is the common practice of removing all, or part of the female’s genitalia. For both cultural and religious initiation purposes, or as a custom to prepare girls or women for marriage.
“Most of the tribes believe that a female child should be circumcised.
That’s how you become a better woman.”
Growing up, Maggie had refused FGM, going up against her loved ones, family, community, and nation’s culture. She already was aware of how dangerous it was, and the impact it can have on a woman’s health.
“Growing up, I met friends at school who were initiated, but they didn’t consent. They had to do it because of family pressure. They saw their sisters do it and she was dressed good after it and they organised parties for them. And then after they do it [themselves], they regret the process.”
“I started campaigning. I went to radio stations to challenge the soweis [those who cut]. Then I got trapped, they said I was talking too much. Most of the people who are campaigning against it cannot stay in Sierra Leone. It’s not only culturally unacceptable, but politically unacceptable.”
Soon enough, Maggie became a staunch advocate against FGM. Her criticisms of the widely practiced ritual angered the community. Her brave advocacy against FGM led to a horrific and targeted attack.
“When I woke up, I was in hospital.”
Magdalene was only 26 years old when she was brutally beaten by certain members of the Bondo Society. As a centuries-old cultural women’s group, tasked with passing down traditional knowledge to young women and girls. They threatened her, took her to the bush, and she woke up in hospital a few days later. Meanwhile, the authorities did nothing to help.
After her recovery in hospital, Maggie was forced to go into hiding. She was also afraid that her son and his father might be in danger too, but she couldn’t do anything to help.
From then on, her life was never the same.
While she was forced to hide in fear for her life, she continued to work as a sports journalist and was granted a visa to travel to Australia to report on the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Queensland.
As she loved her work, she accepted the invitation to visit Australia. Once her time as a reporter ended, she was at a loss in what to do. She felt too afraid to take a direct flight home back to her home country, in fear of more gender-based violence and persecution. She also continued to receive threats, hearing that her attackers were still looking for her.
Home was not safe for her anymore.
Once Maggie finished her reporting job for the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, she took a bus to Sydney and ended up living on the streets without shelter for three days.
By some miracle, a stranger approached her when she was sleeping rough, and offered to help. They directed Maggie to a refugee support centre, with the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). It was there that she learnt she had a legal right to apply for protection. This meant she had a chance to seek asylum and hopefully getting a permanent protection visa in Australia.
Maggie’s first attempt at applying for protection was denied by the Department of Home Affairs. They needed more evidence which Maggie wasn’t able to gather in time. She thought her chances were blown and was back to fearing for her security and safety.
However, Maggie was able to ask RACS for support with her appeal. Only then did Maggie get proper assistance and guidance to access her legal right to protection.
With RACS, she chose to have this decision reviewed and lodged an application with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). Then in 2023, with the support of her RACS solicitor, Maggie appeared before the AAT where her claims for protection were accepted.
“I was referred to RACS to help me with my appeal. I was waiting from 2019 to 2023 for AAT to call me.”
Maggie has since found out that she successfully met the protection visa criteria in Australia, and, after completing the last remaining steps with the Department of Home Affairs, has received her permanent protection.
“I cried because Australia has believed my story. For once, I will be accepted in this country.”
Maggie is more than a refugee: she’s an advocate and project officer.
The most remarkable part of her journey, all things considered, is that she was also been hired by JRS, to help advocate for the protection of women and girls. Now Maggie’s received the support she needed; she can help protect others who may face similar challenges.
Meanwhile, she continues with her advocacy against FGM from here in Australia, refusing to back down from the fight against gender-based violence faced by all women and girls.
She is also enjoying sports culture here in Australia, and looks forward to any chance she might get, to report on matches and games, in support of athletes from her home country.
Donate now to help us give people like Maggie access to free essential legal help.
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Maryam
Maryam and her family arrived in Australia in 2012. With no protection, no support and no finances, the family’s situation seemed bleak. Read more to hear how RACS was able to assist Maryam to gain permanent safety in Australia.
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Jeanine
When Jeanine fled her home country in East Africa, she became separated from her two sons. After reaching out to RACS, she was granted a permanent visa and from there, was able to apply to be reunited with her children in Australia.
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Emil
Emil arrived in Australia alone in 2002, after fleeing religious persecution in his home country. When he reached out to RACS for support in applying for protection, he didn’t know that same support that would extend to another family member, many years later.
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Ali
At just 16 years old, Ali Haidari arrived in Australia alone, having fled his home country of Afghanistan. Ali was determined to build a future in Australia, but he understood that would be impossible without first being granted a protection visa.
