Saheliya’s Champions of Wellbeing Programme

That the Parliament congratulates the women who successfully completed the Champions of Wellbeing Programme; understands that the charity, Saheliya,  provides specialist mental health and wellbeing support to black and minority ethnic (BME) women and girls over 12 in Scotland; notes that the Champions of Wellbeing Programme focused on supporting  women to an understanding of violence against women and abusive cultural practices, and giving them the confidence to challenge such practices and other types of abuse that can cause or contribute to mental illness; further understands that the course included outings to visit other groups, such as the Glasgow Women’s Library, so that the participants could see their own struggles against domestic violence, sexual abuse and harmful cultural practices as part of a broad continuum of people in Scotland working toward achieving women’s rights; considers that this also has the benefit of reducing the isolation of BME women; recognises that this course also supports Saheliya’s goal of helping BME women to become more employable and take an active role in their own and their families' wellbeing, and commends all the staff, volunteers and participants on their achievements.