By now, we’ve all heard about Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun – the Saudi teenager, detained in Thailand, who is seeking asylum. She says were she to be sent back to Saudi Arabia, her family might kill her, as she has renounced Islam and cut her hair. She also travelled alone, without being granted permission from a male guardian. Last night, it was reported al-Qunun was deemed to be a refugee by the UN’s refugee agency and Australia has announced it is seriously considering granting her protection. But, this is a unique scenario, and as Tamara Wood writes, women fleeing family violence have a hard time seeking asylum.

This is because most countries’ laws are based on the Refugee Convention of 1951, which was written in the aftermath of the second world war with a focus on protecting those fleeing political persecution. It did not have women in mind. Women fleeing oppressive regimes are only just beginning to be recognised as members of a persecuted social group, but the application of this is inconsistent and the idea contested. Women also face difficulties providing adequate proof to decision-makers of the abuse they have been subjected to.

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