This podcast is brought to you by ActionAid, an international charity working with women and girls

to create a more just, equitable and sustainable future. This winter, ActionAid is spotlighting

their women-led partner organisations that support refugee women and girls. Last year, almost 118 million

people worldwide were forced to flee their homes.

But the journey of a refugee doesn't end when they reach safety.

For many women and girls, it's just the beginning.

With your help, ActionAid partners could provide life-changing services,

counselling for trauma survivors and opportunities for financial independence through

skills training, helping refugee women heal, learn, work and thrive in their new host countries.

Just £20 could cover the daily fee of a counsellor supporting women survivors of violence.

To donate £20 to ActionAid's Christmas appeal, text Action to 70488 or visit

actionaid.org.uk forward slash newscast. Texts cost 20 pounds plus your standard network rate.

100% will go to ActionAid UK. By texting Action to 70488, you're agreeing to calls and texts from ActionAid

for marketing purposes. To donate and opt out, text Action No.

Tortus

Hello, it's Claudia here and you're listening to the slow newscast from Tortus.

Over the festive and New Year period, we're sharing two of our favourite essays written previously

for Tortus. This week, my colleague Xavier Greenwood tells the story of how he found his voice.

In the still at the nice, I watched Mary give birth.

Her partner sat next to her.

They wore simple tunics with head coverings made from old cloth.

The happy couple, a girl and a boy, were just nine years old.

...