top of page
Solidarity is the key
Solidarity is the key
The Future Is a Woman: Umbaja’s 10th Anniversary Ceremony Celebrates the Power of Women in Hannover
On December 6, 2025, the halls of the Stadtteilzentrum Stöcken in Hannover were filled with music, stories, and a rare and beautiful sense of shared purpose as Umbaja e.V. marked its 10th anniversary with the landmark ceremony “The Future Is a Woman.” What unfolded on December 6, 2025, was more than a celebration—it was a moving testament to the leadership, resilience, and transformative power of Sudanese migrant women and their allies in civil society.
The event brought together activists, educators, community leaders, artists, and friends of the Sudanese and German communities to honor sixteen extraordinary women and organizations whose lives and work reflect a deep commitment to justice, dignity, and social change. In the context of the ongoing war in Sudan and the realities of displacement and exile, the ceremony created a space of collective healing, recognition, and renewed hope.
A Ceremony of Meaning, Memory, and Belonging
The day began with a warm and dignified welcome by representatives of Umbaja e.V., who reflected on a decade of grassroots work in Hannover—ten years of intercultural dialogue, advocacy, and creating safe spaces for women, families, and young people. The tone was both celebratory and reflective, honoring past struggles while looking firmly toward the future.
One of the most powerful moments of the ceremony was the keynote address by Mrs. Anastasia Nkumi Kuma, Chairwoman of Vielfalt Afrika e.V. and recipient of the Migrant Diaspora Self-Organization Award. Drawing from her own work as an activist, trauma counselor, and community organizer, she spoke about women’s leadership as a form of daily courage and quiet revolution. She connected the struggles of women in Sudan, Cameroon, Nigeria, and the diaspora, highlighting how solidarity across borders has become a lifeline in times of global crisis.
The Future is a Woman
The keynote was followed by an in-depth moderated discussion that allowed the audience to engage directly with her reflections on empowerment, women’s participation, and the urgent need to dismantle structural inequalities. Her words resonated deeply in the room, frequently met with moments of silence, tears, and long applause.
Honoring Lives of Courage and Service
At the heart of the ceremony was the tribute to the honored women and organizations—each story a world of dedication, struggle, and hope.
UMBAJA
Honor Roll of Distinguished Women
Adwaa Al-Hussin is a veterinarian and committed activist for democracy and peace in Sudan. As a member of the Movement for New Democratic Forces, she advocated for justice, civil rights and social change. Today, she is the deputy chair of the Declaration of Principles Group, which strengthens the spirit of the Sudanese revolution and stands for peace, social cohesion and the fight against racism. Since 2017, she has also been active in Germany, including as a volunteer at Amnesty International Nordhorn, where she has embodied a strong voice for freedom and human rights since 2019. In 2021, she joined the Green Party and is particularly committed to increasing the proportion of women in politics and parliament, including through the “More Women in the Bundestag” project. Since November 13 of this year, she has headed the Office for Foreigners’ Affairs and Integration.
Anastasia Nkumi Kuma is a board member of Vielfalt Afrika Hannover e.V. as well as the African Federal Association North and is active as an advocate for justice and solidarity. She brings awareness to the war in Cameroon and critically addresses the colonial continuities that shape the conflict. Together with fellow activists, she works to break colonial structures and question power relations between the Global North and South. Another focus is the empowerment of women, whose self-determination and social participation she strengthens. She also supports refugees in Nigeria through psychosocial assistance and projects aimed at promoting resilience and improving living conditions. With two Master’s degrees in Counseling and Education, as well as her qualification as a trauma counselor, she combines academic expertise with practical work.
Asmaa Abdelhey is an outstanding political actor whose commitment to civic engagement and democratic change is clearly reflected in her work with the Umma National Party in Germany and at the European level. Within the party structures, she serves as an influential member and coordinates the General Forum, an important think tank that develops policies and alternative solutions to preserve the legacy of the revolution and help shape Sudan’s future. In keeping with the party’s long-standing tradition of promoting justice, democracy and national unity, she works consistently for civilian leadership, participatory politics and inclusive change. With integrity and foresight, she connects Sudanese diaspora communities with European partners, brings fresh ideas into the reform process and inspires hope for a democratic and prosperous Sudan.
Zahra Lessan on behalf of the Refugee Council of Lower Saxony (Flüchtlingsrat Niedersachsen e.V.), it is an independent, statewide human rights organization advocating for refugees and migrants in Lower Saxony.
The association was founded in the 1980s and sees itself as an alliance of refugee initiatives, welfare organizations, church congregations, trade unions and committed individuals.
The Refugee Council advocates for humane reception, fair asylum procedures, equal treatment and equal opportunities—regardless of the residence status of those affected.
It provides practical support through counseling, individual case assistance and projects for integration, education and participation in the labor market.
Gabriele Janecki has worked for more than 25 years as an educational consultant at the Association for Educational Initiatives in Lower Saxony. Her focus is on education for sustainability, transformative global learning and strengthening civil society—locally in Lower Saxony and internationally. She coordinates several networks, including the Learn2Change – Global Network of Educational Activists together with Sarah Laustroer, and volunteers on the board of Niedersachsen.GLOBAL. As an adult educator and activist, she advocates for an ecologically and socially just future. She believes in the transformative power of education to enable perspective shifts, question power structures, create spaces for dialogue and connect people across the world. Together with colleagues, she develops educational projects, training programs and workshops that promote lifelong learning and empower people to actively help shape societal change.
Hanaa Abdeen Musa Abu Ein is a dedicated community activist who firmly believes in the importance of volunteer work for peace and development. After completing her schooling, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Engineering at the University of Engineering Sciences and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing Science at Cairo University. She participated in several community initiatives, including serving as Social Affairs Officer for the Association of People from Marta in Khartoum and in the Talla Cultural Forum, where she supported youth initiatives. In Egypt, she was the training coordinator of the Association of People from the Western Suburbs and Kadugli, organizing training programs to support young people. She also represented the German-Sudanese Society in Egypt and is a member of the German-Sudanese Society for Development Cooperation in Germany. Her special commitment is to women’s and children’s rights, social justice and building a peaceful, discrimination-free community.
Dr. Ishraga Mustafa Hamid is a Sudanese-Austrian writer, researcher and media expert who lives and works in Vienna. She studied journalism in Sudan, completed her Master’s degree in Media and Communication Studies and her PhD in Political Science at the University of Vienna, where she also lectured as an external lecturer. She has published nine books in Arabic and German and translated ten more, four of them in cooperation with Austrian authors.
She initiated writing workshops for migrant women under the title “No One But Us Writes Our Biographies” and supervised their publication in eight books. She also founded and directs the Mandi Organization for Peace Culture and Diversity Management in Vienna and represents Austrian PEN in the international committee “Writers for Peace.”
For her commitment, she has received numerous awards, including the Golden Medal of the City of Vienna, the highest distinction of the Austrian capital.
Justin Laura Hahn is one of the defining young voices of Hanover’s cultural scene. Having worked at the Pavillon Cultural Center since 2014, she now plays a key role in shaping the institution as part of the executive management. Her professional path led her from a voluntary social year to training as an event manager and later becoming a business administrator. With analytical insight, empathy and a strong sense of community, she has been responsible for finance, administration and strategic development of the center since 2022. She also volunteers with the association Vereinte Kultur and on the advisory board of the State Association of Socioculture of Lower Saxony, where she contributes her expertise to support a strong, democratic and interconnected cultural landscape.
Through her efforts, the Pavillon remains a vibrant space for culture, diversity and exchange—competently managed, open-minded and guided by a genuine passion for culture.
Katrin Beckedorf is the managing director of VEN e.V. (Association for Development Policy of Lower Saxony) in Hanover, where she is responsible for promoting global learning, development education and sustainable international cooperation. She plays a key role in coordinating the “One World Promoters” program in Lower Saxony, strengthening civil society engagement for global justice and sustainability. Under her leadership, VEN creates momentum in areas such as fair trade, colonial continuities and global responsibility—both locally in Lower Saxony and within networks of partner organizations.
Beckedorf brings strategic expertise in public relations, lobbying and network development and acts as a bridge between educational institutions, political actors and civil society. Through this work, she significantly contributes to making development policy issues more visible in Lower Saxony and creating spaces for education and networking.
Lawahiz Goummah is a dedicated humanitarian and community leader who combines compassion with action. Deeply moved by the suffering of people in Sudan and the Sudanese state of South Kordofan (Kadugli), she initiated the “Two Euro Initiative” in Hanover, a grassroots movement to support victims of war and displacement. To expand its impact, she founded the Sudanese-German Society for Development Cooperation, committed to fostering development cooperation at local, regional and international levels—with a special focus on Africa, particularly Sudan. Through awareness-raising, partnerships and humanitarian projects, she promotes education, cultural dialogue and mutual understanding. With empathy and a strong sense of responsibility, she builds bridges of solidarity and hope between Germany and Sudan.
Lina Marie Jäger is a supporting member of the Umbaja association and embodies the spirit of compassion, openness and dedication that shapes Hannover’s culture of welcome. With her strong background in social work, she dedicates her efforts to empowering people, fostering intercultural understanding and anchoring democratic values. As a school social worker for the City of Hanover, she combines empathy with professionalism to support children and families from diverse backgrounds. Her academic path—including a Master’s degree in Social Work in an international and intercultural context—reflects her deep belief in the power of education and dialogue. Her volunteer work, including service as state chair of the DBSH and as a co-founder of a human rights organization, demonstrates her tireless commitment to justice and participation. She is a true bridge-builder in the heart of Hanover.
Malaz Nouri Khalil Siddig is a committed and dynamic young professional whose passion for social engagement and cultural exchange makes her a valued member of the Hanover community. Trained as a dentist, she combines professional precision with human empathy. Over the past three years, she has been actively involved in the work of UMBAJA, contributing her ideas, time and energy to projects that promote diversity, dialogue and participation. Beyond her professional background, Ms. Siddig is known for her volunteer efforts and her ability to connect people from different cultures. Through her continued commitment, she embodies the spirit of openness, cooperation and social responsibility that characterizes Hanover’s cultural life.
Marion Rolle heads the regional office of VNB e.V. and has been committed for many years to high-quality educational work that empowers people to take active global responsibility. Her focus lies in global learning and education for sustainable development, as she sees education as a key driver of societal change. Under her leadership, diverse learning and encounter spaces are created, where sustainability, global justice and social participation are conveyed and shaped. Marion Rolle is a graduate social pedagogue and political scientist and has worked in political education for nearly 30 years. Since 2019, she has led the Northwest regional office of VNB, connecting local and global educational actors and strengthening their engagement for a just, sustainable and democratic world.
Dr. Marwa Tageldin is a physician, expert in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), consultant, and passionate advocate for women’s health, education and empowerment. She is the founder of Red Card, a Sudanese initiative led by young people and women, dedicated to promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights and strengthening Sudanese communities—with a particular focus on women and girls.
Dr. Tageldin also leads the One Million Sustainable Pads Campaign, which provides menstrual and reproductive health education for refugee and displaced women and girls, while ensuring access to sustainable menstrual products both inside and outside Sudan.
With compassion, expertise and tireless dedication, she works to integrate education, dignity and sustainability, ensuring that no woman or girl is left behind on her path to health, well-being and self-confidence.
Sarah Laustroer works at the Association for Educational Initiatives of Lower Saxony in the areas of global learning, education for sustainable development, transformative learning and political education. Important themes of her work include sustainability, global justice, anti-discrimination and social participation. Since its founding, she has co-coordinated the international educational network “Learn2Change – Global Network of Educational Activists” together with Gabriele Janecki. She continually draws motivation from the exchange within the network and gladly passes this motivation on to others.
Susanne Müller-Jantsch was, until 2023, the managing director of the Pavillon Cultural Center in Hanover, a place known for openness, creativity and diversity. She helped make the Pavillon a central part of the city’s cultural life and a home for many newcomers and communities. The Pavillon supported the founding of UMBAJA and always opened its doors to the association, enabling it to actively shape Hanover’s cultural landscape. Susanne Müller-Jantsch is a supporting member of the UMBAJA association. She currently works as a cultural consultant at the State Association of Socioculture of Lower Saxony.
Janika Millan has been a defining figure in Hanover’s cultural scene for many years. As the head of the department “International Culture and City Partnerships” within the Cultural Office of the City of Hanover, she is deeply committed to openness, diversity and international exchange. Her work plays a key role in shaping Hanover’s cultural identity and strengthening relationships with partner cities and diverse communities worldwide. Ms. Millan embodies the spirit of welcome that defines Hanover—a city that embraces people, ideas and creativity from all over the world. Through her commitment, she fosters dialogue, collaboration and vibrant cultural exchange.
Silke Merzhäuser is a supporting member of UMBAJA and a courageous cultural creator who strengthens openness and social empathy in Hanover. She studied political science, literature and social psychology and, as a dramaturge, author and creative producer, combines academic precision with human sensitivity. At Werkgruppe2, she develops hybrid theater and film projects that amplify voices from the margins. Her award-winning short films and documentary audio pieces merge journalistic research with artistic composition and encourage reflection on society and memory. In teaching and committee work, she builds bridges between artistic practice and civic education. Since 2022, she has also been active in the regional structure of the Film and Media Office of Lower Saxony. Her narrative engagement makes otherness visible and promotes the values of an open society.
Eiman Abulgasim Seifeldin is an educator and dedicated activist at International Community Care e.V. Her work focuses on global education, migration, civic engagement and environmental protection. She is strongly committed to strengthening marginalized communities—through participatory methods and the power of storytelling. In times of change, she places particular emphasis on leadership skills and uses project management to connect activism, education and intercultural dialogue. Her engagement promotes inclusive and sustainable societal transformation in areas such as agriculture, climate justice, democracy, gender equality, human rights, peace and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Her work spans adult education, political education, non-formal and social education, university teaching and professional development—always driven by a vision of justice, sustainability and humanity.
Mawada Abdelhamied is a dedicated activist and human rights defender whose work embodies courage, solidarity and resilience. She was an active member of the Oranienplatz protest camp in Berlin and a leading figure in the refugee protest camp at Weißekreuzplatz in Hanover—two significant movements that protested restrictive asylum policies and advocated for dignity and justice for refugees. In 2015, she played a key role in founding Umbaja e.V. in Hanover, an initiative that promotes empowerment, dialogue and creative expression for refugees and migrants. With tireless commitment, Ms. Abdelhamied gives a voice to the voiceless and creates inclusive spaces where freedom, equality and humanity are at the center.
Mana Atiglo is a specialist promoter for migration and participation at VEN e.V. With great commitment, she strengthens migrant organizations and partnership groups engaged in development policy. Her focus is on capacity building, networking and project and grant consulting for international South-focused initiatives.
She also advocates for the intercultural opening of development policy. Through her work, she builds bridges between migrant communities, the development-policy civil society in Lower Saxony and partners in the Global South. Through her efforts, Ms. Atiglo makes global responsibility tangible—through cooperation, empowerment and sustainable development.
We are very pleased to welcome her to our event today and to highlight her important work.
Hala El-Bushari, born in Sudan and residing in the Netherlands, is a biomedical scientist with over 20 years of experience in parasitology, immunology and molecular biology. She holds an MSc in Parasitology from the University of Juba and completed further training in molecular diagnostics and immunology at Leiden University Medical Center, Radboud University and Fontys University of Applied Sciences in Eindhoven. Her career spans research, clinical and biotechnology work, including positions at Leiden University, DSM Delft, the CBS Fungal Biodiversity Center and Utrecht University. She works on enzyme expression, fungal genetics, yeast strain optimization and infection diagnostics, and is proficient in PCR, cloning, ELISA and protein purification. She speaks Arabic and English fluently, and Dutch at NT2-II level. Her work stands for curiosity, resilience and intercultural cooperation in biomedical research.
The Future is a Woman
The Future is a Woman is a transnational awareness campaign and community engagement initiative designed to connect with Sudanese audiences—both within the country and across the global diaspora. With a strong presence on social media, the campaign is supported by advocacy, educational outreach, and storytelling initiatives that amplify the voices of women and girls.
Our focus extends to Sudanese communities worldwide, with special emphasis on reaching youth and women’s networks in Germany, Europe, and Africa. The campaign engages Arabic, English, and German-speaking audiences on a global scale.
Mission
Raise Awareness
To spotlight the vital role girls and young women play in rebuilding Sudanese society and shaping a peaceful, inclusive future.
Amplify Voices
To create platforms for women and girls to share their stories, express their needs, and contribute their visions for leadership and change.
Promote Peace and Wellbeing
To advocate for mental, social, and economic wellbeing as foundational pillars for women’s active and sustained participation in society.
Inspire Action
To mobilize families, communities, and institutions to invest in the leadership, talents, and dreams of girls and young women.
Program
-
Global Social Media Campaign (September 2025 – August 2028)
-
"Future Voices" Online Platform – A digital space for stories, dialogue, and expression
-
Workshops & Online Dialogues – Interactive sessions fostering learning and connection
-
Ambassador Program (2026 – 2028) – Youth-led advocacy and community leadership
-
Annual Reports & Impact Showcases – Celebrating progress and sharing insights
bottom of page