Eman

My three children and I live in this one room. Four other women and their children live in this house and we all share the kitchen and bathroom, so I can’t self-isolate properly.

I moved to this country a year ago because I got married in secret without my family’s permission. My father was very angry. They would call it an honour killing. I am here for the safety of my daughter and I. There was an incident with my sister - my father drove her into the desert, tied her up to a pole and caned her when he heard a rumour that she flirted. It’s hard to be here alone and with no friends or family.

I am housed by immigration. I live in a house with other people and we share the kitchen and bathroom. One person here leaves the bathroom dirty and I have to clean it a lot.

Most of the time I live life in this room anyway, so lockdown isn’t too different. I go out to the shops, and to playgroup, and occasionally to the park. So, life is quite similar right now, except I miss the park and playgroup. It is too much being in one room together for so long.

There is a crazy lady who lives in the room next door to me. She has lots of men over to visit her in her room. One time there were four men and it sounded like wild animals were in there. I think she is a prostitute.  This is not great with children in the house, but it is not safe while we are supposed to be isolating and social distancing. 

I wasn’t too worried about the virus at first, but with so many people coming into the house it’s scary. Six men have visited this week. They use the toilet of course. If I pass them, or the people who live in the house, we are very close to each other, we cannot be 2 metres apart.