We conducted a first exploratory study of the challenges and difficulties experienced by Latin American women in Belgium. Problems related to language, health, inclusion, education, discrimination and violence: psychological, economic or physical. We started to build bridges between Latin American women and Belgian projects. The result was a study on the well-being of Latin American women living in Belgium. We accompanied this study in cases of women residents in order to understand their integration process and their problems, as well as possible solutions or alternatives. We organized focus groups, debates with specialists to discuss different topics, such as femicides, the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, the CEDAW women’s rights and the invisibility and vulnerability of migrant women. We listened to women’s testimonies through several interviews among Latin American migrant women.

As a grassroots organization, we help immigrant women to understand the functioning of Belgian institutions and social services, especially those focusing on immigrants, refugees, women and discrimination. In the permanent and personal communication service we support and accompany women on their paths in the different Regions of Belgium. In the follow-up of cases to be helped we consult in network to listen to recommendations of other alternatives to the solution of their eventual problems.

In collaboration with European and international networks: We strengthened our networks, taking advantage of our presence in Brussels. We joined the European Networking Against Racism (ENAR) and the Discrimination and Federatie van Sociaal-Culturele vereningingen van mensen met een migratieachtergrond (FMDO), being part of their board of members and being part of the World Solidarity Forum (WSF). We also expanded our networks and alliances beyond Europe, with special attention to Latin American and Diaspora feminist organizations around the world by conducting the first international networking with specialists and leaders from Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Mexico and the Latin Diaspora based in the United States of America, Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe EnReDHadas, Tejiendo feminismos por el mundo (Weaving feminisms around the world).

We participated in several conferences and presented papers at the Congress on Migration and Mental Health organized in Brussels, Colloquium Local communities and Indigenous research at ULB, and Hands on Sexual Harassment: Has #MeToo redefined the status quo? at the European Commission.