One determined, inspiring woman, has been a beacon of light for restoring hope and connection in the community of Moroccan women, her name is Souad Talsi.
Souad Talsi MBE, the founder of Al-Hasaniya Moroccan Women’s Centre has been championing the rights of Moroccan women years. Her inspiration to advocate for the women in her community sprouted in her childhood.
“Growing up as the daughter of a community activist who strongly believed in gender equality, I understood my worth from a very young age. My father often included me in meetings and introduced me to community work shortly after learning English, having moved from Morocco in the early 1970s,” says Souad.
“It inspired me to ensure that whatever path I end up pursuing professionally, it must include helping others. As it happened, my career chose me, and not the other way around,” says Souad.
Where the needs of Moroccan women have been overlooked or dismissed, Souad’s centre dedicated to Moroccan women has been incredibly consistent in advocating for them.
It’s a ground for connection and healing whether for domestic abuse support or mental well being.
The Moroccan community’s long-standing relationship with the UK, dates back to the 16th Century and North Kensington, London, is where a lot of the community Souad tends to reside.
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It’s a hub of culture and vibrancy where several Moroccans have made their home.
“Now, five generations later, the stories within these communities are diverse, but a shared commitment remains, to ensure their cultural heritage is preserved.
“For a community, space equates to belonging, and this sense of belonging is increasingly challenged by the diminishing space available for the community to occupy. The Al-Hasaniya Centre serves as a crucial beacon of hope. Our centre offers a unique home-to-home hub and a safe space specifically for women.
“We firmly believe that maintaining cultural heritage is vital for our community’s survival. It defines who we are, while simultaneously enabling us to integrate and embrace British life and values. I strongly believe that a strong sense of cultural identity fosters a greater openness to others,” says Souad.
What drove Souad to found the centre began with the level of mistreatment she witnessed towards Moroccan women and the migrant community.
“These experiences motivated me to advocate strongly within my local community, urging the local authority to recognize and support Moroccan women as vital contributors to society.
“This forty-year journey of running a by and for organization has been a profound lifetime commitment, bringing both immense reward and significant challenges,” says Souad.
Souad and her team have supported tens of thousands of women. Their work has included successfully winning cases for the return of abducted children to their mothers and rescuing abandoned women overseas.
“Witnessing a completely broken woman arrive at our doorstep and then seeing her enabled, supported, and empowered, assures me that she will never be truly defeated.
“I am filled with hope seeing the dedicated team who will continue to champion empowerment and freedom,” says Souad.
Souad’s passion for the sisters in her community and perseverance has been the driving force which has cultivated so much change for Moroccan women and continues to do so.
