A FORMER refugee who fled civil war in Kosovo to come to Glasgow has been named Refugee Woman of the Year.

Remzije Sherifi, known as Rema, was honoured for her volunteer work, including working with the Maryhill Integration Network.

Set up by organisations working with migrants and refugees, the awards honour inspirational women who fled war and persecution to build new lives in the UK.

Rema, 57, said: "I was so surprised to win this award. I didn't expect it- not when there are so many inspirational women across the UK doing much more good work than I am."

The awards event, held in London, were presented to five women from across the UK, including Young Woman of the Year, two honourary awards and the joint Woman of the Year award.

Rema was one of the first female radio journalists in Kosovo. She and her husband and three sons were evacuated in 1999 from a refugee camp in Macedonia to Glasgow as Rema needed treatment for breast cancer.

She now runs Maryhill Integration Network where three staff and 60 volunteers operate a programme of weekly activities in health, learning and art and dance.

Her work with the network saw her named Evening Times Community Champion in the north of Glasgow and in 2009 she was nominated for Scotswoman of the Year.

Rema also volunteers with Migrant Voice, a free newspaper written by migrants to the UK.

Rema shares her award with Constance Nzeneu, a lawyer from Cameroon who fled to the UK in 2005 from the threat of a forced marriage and who now lives in Cardiff.

The awards event coincided with International Women's Day and was hosted by broadcaster Samira Ahmed.

The Migrant and Refugee Woman of the Year Awards were organised by The Forum; Women for Refugee Women; Migrants' Rights Network; Rosa, the UK fund for women and girls; Oxfam and EQUALS.

catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk