Mimi Unamoyo
About
Mimi Unamoyo is a human rights advocate and community leader originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. She arrived in Northern Ireland in 2009 and has since dedicated her work to supporting refugees and asylum seekers, particularly women facing isolation and barriers to integration. Mimi holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights Law from Queen’s University Belfast, and her work is informed by both her academic training and lived experience.
Mimi is the founder of Bomoko NI (meaning “unity” in Lingala), a refugee-led organisation established in 2019 to support refugee and asylum-seeking women across Northern Ireland. Bomoko NI provides advice, advocacy, educational workshops, and community activities that help women navigate the asylum system, overcome language and cultural barriers, and build confidence and independence.
Through Bomoko NI, Mimi has created a trusted and empowering space where women from diverse backgrounds can access information, develop skills, and build supportive networks. Her leadership continues to strengthen community cohesion and amplify the voices of refugee and asylum-seeking women in Northern Ireland.
What’s the most exciting part of being a DiNN One To Watch for you or your organisation?
Being recognised as a Do it Now “Ones to Watch” is both an honour and an opportunity for Bomoko NI. The most exciting aspect is the platform it provides to amplify the voices and experiences of refugee and asylum-seeking women in Northern Ireland, whose contributions are often unseen. This recognition helps to raise awareness of the work we do, strengthens our credibility, and opens doors to new partnerships and support that can expand our impact. For us, it is not only a celebration of our journey so far, but a meaningful opportunity to continue advocating for dignity, inclusion, and empowerment for the women we serve.
