In the lead up to International Women's Day, we find out more about the Akar Umbi Development Society, an NGO that collaborates with grassroots communities towards ending marginalisation and creating equal opportunities through people-development programmes and initiatives. One such programme is called the Azalea Initiative, which is a leadership programme for refugee women. We find out more from Chen Li, Akar Umbi's Impact Driver and the programme coordinator for the Azalea Initiative, and we also hear from Amber Maria and Tamana Sherzad, who are both refugees living in Malaysia and participants in the Azalea Initiative. Both Amber and Tamana also share their stories of having to flee their home countries to seek safety in Malaysia, their experiences of living as refugees here, and how they are trying to rebuild their lives despite being surrounded by many uncertainties.

Image credit: Akar Umbi Development Society