Celebrating International Women’s Day-Barking and Dagenham Deputy Council Leader Councillor Saima Ashraf.

Women are the pillars of our community” – An interview with Councillor Saima Ashraf.

Councillor Saima Ashraf really is an incredible role model for women. Shakira Bruce-Abubacker went to meet her.

As the world prepares to commemorate International Women’s Day today, we immerse ourselves into the heart of the movement, celebrating influential voices shaping its narrative. The spotlight falls on Councilor Saima Ashraf, a prominent figure whose unwavering dedication to her community is shaping the discourse. In an exclusive interview, Saima graciously agreed to share her thoughts, insights and experiences.

As I entered the historic town hall, the ambiance was palpable with anticipation and fervor. I was unsure if it was the weight of history surrounding me as I walked or the anticipation of engaging with such a prominent figure. As I sat and awaited, the sounds of progress reverberated throughout the reception.

Soon I was met with the presence of the senior communications and campaigns officer. 

After greeting one another, I was led into a serene meeting room adorned with a long white table and vibrant orange chairs.

The stage was set for an impactful exchange.

Seated, my anticipation heightened, and each passing moment was marked with an increased blend of nerves and exhilaration. The weight of the occasion was finally being felt, a testament to the importance and significance of the impending conversation.

Then, she entered.

With grace, Saima Ashraf’s presence called attention. She introduced herself with a smile, which exuded warmth and familiarity. And immediately, my nerves had vanished. In that moment, any apprehension I had dissipated, replaced with a sense of calmness, camaraderie and shared purpose.

I rose and extended my hand, and she shook it, with an innocent giggle.

I was honoured to be gifted with her presence, and I knew it would be a moment I would remember and cherish.

As the interview began, I inquired about her entry into politics and the motivations behind her desire to become a counsillor.

“Oh wow.” I once hear that innocent giggle again. “My arrival in politics was quite accidental I have to say.”

She continues, “So, I moved to the UK, followed my ex-husband here actually, and that’s 20 years ago now.” She pauses, seemingly taken aback by the realisation of how long ago it was.

“Followed him here, arrived in the UK, straight to Barking and Dagenham very quicky unfortunately I was abandoned in a homeless unit hostel, which was on Boundary Road, in Barking with my three daughters. Um, I couldn’t speak a word of English, knew anybody or anything about the place, so, here I was not knowing the place or, even knowing where to go or what to do. So very quickly, I, um, when my children, all three, were in full time school, I started to volunteer in a charity shop first, so I could start to practice feeling a bit more comfortable with people and start to talk in English as I would say.” She chuckles, her trademark innocent giggle emerging once more as she finishes speaking.

However, her innocent giggles subsides, and the vibrant energy in the room, once fuelled by her laughter, diminishes a bit as she carries on. “And, err, unfortunately,” Once more, she pauses, momentarily halting her speech. “As I was fleeing domestic violence as well, the police were quite involved into my life, and so I decided to volunteer with the Met Police, and I started to work in the Borough Intelligence Unit, which was in Maritime House. So I would go drop my children, come back and stay with the Met Police, do a bit of admin work and then pick up my children and then go home. That was my routine and that actually changed me, because I became more confident, I learned about the law, the country, people and I started to really engage a bit more with my surroundings.”

“Then one day, outside my children’s school I met the local MP, who was campaigning against BNP, and I wanted a letter of support from her which she did help me, so I thought “Okay, she helped me.” So I asked the question “How can I help her back?”

She chuckles as she recalls, telling me, “That’s a funny question,you ask a politician, you know they just put a pile of papers in front of you saying “Yeah, you can deliver a few leaflets for me.” And that’s how exactly I started, I started to deliver some flyers, that was all about standing against the BNP, against fascism, something I really liked and connected with and before I even knew I was a part of street meetings, coffee afternoons and 2010, was the first time I stood in the elections in Gascoigne Ward, where I use to live and I got elected first time.”

We then delved into her personal journey, reflecting on the obstacles she encountered and how they served as catalysts for her mission to forge a better future, not just for herself and her loved ones, but also for other women and marginalised communities facing similar circumstances.

“I come from a South-Asian background, and my family moved to France, so I wasn’t raised and brought up here, in this country, I was raised in France. And we were the first generation of South-Asians at the time, I have to say, even though they were very protective, they also wanted us to know more about the culture, but it’s very difficult when you’re not living in that country, and you want to teach that culture. So, my father, I’m three of four sisters basically, so my father married us quite young. That’s like twenty-ish years ago. I know things are different now,” She ponders her words, her head swaying side to side, contemplating whether true change has indeed taken place.

She takes a moment before resuming her speech, having reconsidered her response. “Or maybe not so different now,” She laughs, smiling at her own uncertainty. “But at the time, I think they were thinking they were doing a good thing, which at the time was maybe good, however, it just turned out not to be that good in the end. So, I remember, I didn’t have the opportunity, growing up, to study and have, er, a proper, professional skill, I would say or background. So, being married young and then fleeing domestic violence, then going through language barriers and all these challenges I was going through, it’s very difficult to pause and reflect, and keeping your head on your shoulders at the same time and being a single mum of three children,”

I nod and hum in agreement, resonating with the depth of her words.

“But I managed then to get a diploma, become an interpreterinto French, or Punjabi or English, I started uni, I did“Community development and Public Policy.””

With a pointed gesture and a smirk, she says, “Gonna say I didn’t finish it.” We both share a laugh. 

“But I was part of it and I learnt a lot from it, but as I said, my journey to politics was not something I had planned, or I wanted to. One thing that was clear is that, I came to Barking and Dagenham and this place gave me a lot, as I learnt about a lot of things in this country and I felt like, you know what? It’s an opportunity for me to be an elective member, I’ll take it as an honour as well to be able to serve the residents, here in Barking and Dagenham, because we, collectively, make this place, and I think that’s the best borough in London.”

In just a brief span of our interview, laughter had already woven through conversation countless times, effortlessly. We shared more hearty chuckles, in mutual agreement, as I particularly resonated since I had lived in Dagenham since the tender age of 5.

“I’ve been through the system, if I can say that.” She pauses, “I was homeless, I lived in the private sector, temporary accomodations, council properties, name it.” 

She offers a relaxed smile, “So I feel like I’ve been through the system, lived in poverty, lived on benefits, I worked as well, so, I kind of understand different stages of someone coming to the country or living here. So as a councillor, I think it’s very important to live experience, that really helps you and shapes your decisions as well. So someone like me who has been through the system, who understands what its like to live in poverty or to just survive on charity shops or foodbanks etcetera, what is it like? What do we need to do? How can we help the community?

She continued, “So, I’m the lead member for “Community leadership and Engagement”, and what it means is I look after the voluntary, social sector as well as heritage, parks and a bit of housing. It does give the platform where I do work with a lot of community groups, a lot of social voluntarily groups. I do have a lot of engagement and communications with the residents and also, it can be parent groups, it can be a women’s group, it can be any of those. But it’s just not being a part of those groups and you know, me being in front of them, but it’s about listening, because, and even when I say listening, it’s not just, “Oh yeah let’s sit down and have a chat.” Even though I believe strongly in a cup of tea.”

With a bright smile, she says and laughs, nodding in agreement.

“You can have very powerful conversations over a cup of tea;however, it’s listening and at the same time, how can you make a difference to that? You know, it’s not just like, “I’m sitting here and we’re having a chat.” But also, what’s the outcome of it? How can I make a difference to that person’s life? And I think it’s something, you know, that is definitely a part of my values as a person, but also politically, we in Barking and Dagenham, have done a lot to listen to our residents. To understand where the issues, or the challenges are coming from and establishingbetter channels to deliver some of those, difficulties. A very example of this would be, um, having our services shipped accordingly, having community hubs where people and go and have all kinds of services delivered to them or even having the “Shark loans”. We’re talking about the cost-of-living crisis,people are looking at having easy loans etcetera, and what we’vegot is the “BD” money (Barking and Dagenham money).”

The BD Money partnership with Leeds Credit Union is a partnership that aims to bring more affordable loan options and saving accounts to residents through Barking and Dagenham Money (BD Money).

It’s aims is to help local people become more financially resilient, retain more funds as well as access appropriate servicesto meet their financial needs and ambitions. A non-profit partnership, with all benefits staying in the community.

“We’ve got access to food banks as well, which is a good thing to have because of the situation, its sad we still have to have these kinds of things at this day and age. There is so many things we’re doing to help women, to empower them and one that we celebrate the whole month is women empowerment and for women to link and liaise with one another and excel and empower each other. Women are the pillars of our community. We all have so much to give. There is so much more we can nurture and develop here.”

As we approached the conclusion of our interview, I asked her about her most significant accomplishment.

“Wow, I couldn’t be more proud of this,” With palpable excitement, she leaned forward, a sense of anticipation building as if she were about to make a major announcement.

“We’ve got our very brand-new women’s museum that we are opening in Barking, on International Women’s Day, it’sabsolutely brilliant. It celebrates the stories and experiences of women and girls in Barking and Dagenham and beyond, a place where we can come together and chat and reflect on important issues and also a space of all identities, abilities and backgrounds, trans and non-binaries are welcome. Yeah, we’relaunching this on International Women’s Day, but please join us on Saturday, which is the opening program launch.”

Their inaugural exhibition titled “An Idea of Life”, will feature newly commissioned works by artists Lesley Asare, Sarina Mantle and Meera Shakti Osborne as well as replicas of artifacts found at the Abbey. Additionally, engaging activities for all ages, led by artists Sarina Mantle and Lesley Asare, will run from 11am to 3pm.

As the interview drew to a close, I felt inspired by Saima’s resilience and determination. Her unwavering commitment to her community, served as not only a reflection but a transformative power of women’s leadership.

Leaving the town hall, I carried with me our conversation, a testament to the enduring legacy of International Women’s Day. As we commemorate this day of celebration and reflection, people like Saima remind us of the progress made and the work that still lies ahead.

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