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Conflict Women Trinidad and Tobago

Commonwealth Point of Light 100. Asiya Mohammed

Asiya Mohammed, representing Trinidad and Tobago, is the founder of ‘Conflict Women’ which helps survivors of sexual and domestic abuse rebuild their lives through entrepreneurship.

Asiya Mohammed

Drawing on her own experience, Asiya was inspired to help other survivors achieve financial independence by offering free training in jewellery making and business development, enabling them to start their own businesses. In the past five years, ‘Conflict Women’ has trained over 70 women, 25 of whom now draw a regular monthly income with their handcrafted jewellery. In 2018, ‘Conflict Women’ launched a new micro-finance loan programme, MULTIPLY, with the support of the British High Commission, providing executive coaching and access to capital for survivors’ businesses in Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Asiya was presented with her award by British High Commissioner in Trinidad and Tobago, Tim Stew MBE (pictured below).

Asiya Mohammed with Tim Stew

Asiya Mohammed receiving her award from Tim Stew

Asiya said:  

“I am humbled and honoured to be recognised by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as the 100th Commonwealth Point of Light as Founder and CEO of Conflict Women, Ltd. We work relentlessly to financially empower rape and domestic violence survivors so they can have lives free of abuse and violence. Our work is often fraught with challenges, but through it all our survivors have remained my heroes, and this award is dedicated to them. They teach me resilience, grace, courage, and optimism in the midst of conflict. Special thanks to God, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, the British High Commission, PSI Caribbean and to every organization and individual who has voluntary provided services, training and funding for our survivors. I dream of  a Trinidad and Tobago where we are each other’s keepers and where women, girls, men and boys live free of gender-based violence. Please accept sincerest gratitude from the bottom of my heart.”

Tim Stew MBE, UK High Commissioner in Trinidad and Tobago said:

“Asiya continues to work tirelessly to empower survivors of sexual and domestic abuse, not only in Trinidad and Tobago, but across the Caribbean region, and soon in Germany. I am delighted that I will soon present Asiya Mohammed with this honour on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen. It will make Asiya the 100th Commonwealth Point of Light, joining many others from across the 52 other Commonwealth nations working to bring about change and promote equality in their communities. In addition to assisting Asiya to promote her message, I hope this award will inspire young people in this country to be brave and drive change. I know there are many in this country who are proud of Asiya’s achievement. I wish her continued strength and success.”

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The daily Points of Light award recognises outstanding individual volunteers - people who are making a change in their community.

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