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Women Empowerment and Leadership are thrilled to share the highlights of our recent meeting with the Honorable Minister of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles, and Brett Wood, Head of Government Relations at Cricket Australia. It was an inspiring and productive discussion, focusing on our ongoing efforts to empower and unite our community, especially Afghan women and girls. As a united community, we emphasized to the Australian government that sports and politics should remain separate. Mixing the two can unfairly disadvantage millions of Afghans who wish to watch Afghanistan’s cricket team play live in Australia. We are especially proud to announce that our esteemed funder, Rita Anwari Sultani, has been appointed as a Multicultural Ambassador for Cricket Australia. This prestigious role will allow Rita to leverage her passion for community building and sports to bring our multicultural community together through cricket. Sports play a vital role in fostering community spirit, promoting mental health, and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment. By encouraging community participation in cricket, we aim to create a strong, connected, and resilient community. A huge shoutout to Rita Anwari for her dedication and to the Afghan community across Australia for their continued support. Let’s join hands with Rita to ensure the success of this initiative and make a positive impact on our community. Together, we can empower our community and create lasting change.

WEL Founder Director Rita Anwari Sultani had the Honour to Speak Up on behalf of Afghan Women and Girls at the Exhibition Launch of Mosaic for Afghan Women on International Peace Day I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodian of the lands we live on. We pay our respects to all elders past and present of all aboriginal and Torres strait islander nations. I would also like to acknowledge those Afghan Australian who migrated to Austral on a camel in 1830 and built a strong foundation which we will continue to uphold Ladies and Gentlemen, First, let me present my gratitude to the organizer of this event where we can talk about the different beautiful cultures that we have in Afghanistan. A special thanks to every one of you for participating in this important event. As founder/Director of Women Empowerment and Leadership Association and Global Peace ambassador of Peace for Asia, I have always tried to raise the real voice of Afghan Women and Girls, to stand up against domestic violence, and support Afghan Women and Girls to educate themselves, and make their future brighter. Afghan Women and Girls in 34 provinces of Afghanistan have enough capacity to be part of the political and economic structure of the country but unfortunately, most of the time, in today’s regime in Afghanistan, they are under pressure and even they are not allowed to work or go to schools but the sad part is they can go out without male even if his 10 years old because God creates him as male. Afghan Women and Girls have played a key role in the economic and trade sector of the country and high demand for their hands-made export items are existence in regional and international markets. Since women are not involved in the war in Afghanistan, unfortunately, they have not been in an important decision-making position in the peace process. While war and peace leave deep effects on women’s lives, for example, without peace and security, women and girls will lose the opportunity of education, employment, social and cultural issues. The retardation of women in society causes the retardation of society and the country. After the arrival of the Taliban, women have become a single voice inside and outside the country, all of them are demanding justice and are moving purposefully in the center of their concerns. Women should not be marginalized in important political processes and they should not be included in the processes from the address of their region, tribal and parties. Women should be included in the processes from their knowledge, expertise, experience and personality so that their rights will not be affected by war and peace. For last 10 years, I have been supporting women, especially Afghan Women to improve their knowledge, avoid domestic violence, get used to multicultural environments, and have economic independence. Before closing my speech, I kindly request every one of you to accompany us for the following messages as real piano and voice of our innocent women and girls: 1- If we believe that women’s rights are human rights, so we want to get our real rights and the International Community MUST NOT ignore and forget us, Afghan women 2- Afghan women deserve to have access to education, the same as other girls around the globe, 3- We want to reopen schools immediately for Afghan Girls 4- they want to work and make their lives independent, so no one should take this right from them 5- The United Nations and the International Community, in general, MUST find a permanent solution to the current panic situation in Afghanistan, 6- Give Decision Making roles to educated and experienced Afghan Women rather than having them symbolic around the table, 7- Increase humanitarian support, the visa process for Afghan Women, “If you want to end the war then Instead of sending guns, send books. Instead of sending tanks, send pens. Instead of sending soldiers, send women teachers.” » When we educate man, we educate a man, when we educate women, we educate the community! Once again thanks to every one of you for your participation and a special thanks to the organizers of this useful event. I hope we could continue such events to support newly arrived residents in Australia. Rita Anwari Sultani

Women Empowerment and Leadership team was invited by Peter Russo MP – Toohey to meet our newly arrived Afghan refugees and they had a chance to share their stories with him and what their needs as new residents in beautiful Brisbane. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Rauf he discussed so many different topics within 2 hours in a very warm and welcoming environment. WEL team and our newly arrived Afghan refugees sending special gratitude to Peter and his team for organising a dinner at the Queensland Brisbane Parliament in near future for the #new Afghan refugees to welcome them to the country, and give them a tour of the  Queensland Brisbane parliament. They are very blessed to be supported by Australian Government always. Thank you Peter, for your incredible support!

Women Empowerment and Leadership had their thirtieth workshops on Friday 30th of September at the IAAW springwood office for the Afghan women who came to Australia after 15/08/21 The workshop starts by acknowledging the country. WEL AUS founder director Rita Anwari Sultani welcomes all sisters to Australia and our workshops. She discusses the opportunity for new Aghan Queensland residences in Queensland. Fatima from the IWAA representative introduce IWAA and the program provide by IWAA for Muslim women in Australia. IWAA programs provide: English classes Craft Youth camping Children program Family’s gathering How to open businesses Camping Over all to be the best version of yourself Women Empowerment leadership Programs are holding a expression of interest for the coming program * Driving school * Swimming classes Which’s start as soon as next week Our main goal is to help each other work as sisters. We have a full room of women who have come from Afghanistan and need our support urgently. They all feel comfortable as Muslim women sitting next to each other and talking about their needs. Most of these women were interested in driving and swimming classes which start as soon as next week especially for those under 25 which were booked for the coming week. Looking forward to seeing our sisters at our swimming classes on Monday and Thursday for Muslim women. Special thanks go to IWAA and their staff for helping women in western society to be themselves.

Women Empowerment and Leadership Collaborating #IWAAPCYC Beenleigh to help newly Queensland residents find the best and safe way in the community by introducing RUBY program. RUBY (Rise Up, Be Yourself) is a free, weekly physical fitness program for women who are, have been, or likely to be experiencing DFV. This program held at over 30 PCYCs across Queensland, RUBY is designed to #empower#women by #building#physical strength and contributing to general well-being, emotional resilience, self-esteem and confidence through physical exercise in a violence free and safe environment. The unique program gives participants a different outlet and tools to combat the DFV cycle by fostering connected relationships with other women in a safe, group environment. Sessions are facilitated by a qualified, female PT and a female member of the QPS attends and participates. RUBY can be a conduit for the needs of the women.

Women Empowerment and Leadership team run another great workshop by professional migration lawyer Dan Li At our workshop #Dan she proved information about over 10 different visa programs *family reunion *Partner visa *Skill visa *Few types of working visa *Student visa *And the pathway to PR Healthcare or Teaching Occupations →ANZSCO Sub-major Group 25 – Health Professionals →ANZSCO Minor Group 241 – School Teachers →ANZSCO Minor Group 411 – Health and Welfare Support Workers →ANZSCO Unit Group 1341 – Child Care Centre Managers →ANZSCO Unit Group 2346 – Medical Scientists →ANZSCO Unit Group 2721 – Counsellors →ANZSCO Unit Group 2723 – Psychologists →ANZSCO Unit Group 2725 – Social Workers →ANZSCO Unit Group 3112 – Medical Technicians ANZSCO occupations: →134311 – School Principal →421111 – Child Care Worker →423111 – Aged or Disabled Carer →423312 – Nursing Support Worker →423313 – Personal Care Assistant. Skilled visa – employer-sponsored visa –sc 482 The TSS visa program assists Australian businesses that experience genuine skill shortages and cannot find Australian workers to fill vacant positions. requires employer sponsorship from a regional employer and the position must be likely to exist for 5 years. 494 Visa holders can: • live and work in Australia for up to five years • include immediate family on 494 visa • transition to permanent residency (if eligible) via the 191 Regional Skilled Visa. Truly it was a very useful workshop and hopefully, next year we have a few more workshops to answer the questions of our Afghan community. Special thanks to Nora Amath IWAA Galila Abdelsalam for gallowing me to use their Hall for workshop It means so much to our community.

Women Empowerment and Leadership Congratulations to the graduates of the incredible Swim Logan which #WELAUS introduced to new #Afghan#residences by connection program to #IWAA #Hurricane Star Culp at #Logan. Swim Logan teaches migrant and refugee residents to be confident in the water, promoting safety, physical activity, and a sense of belonging in local pools. We can’t wait to see our new driver on the road very soon as well by PCYC Beenleigh A huge thanks go to Nasrin Vaziri Gold Coast Multicultural ArtsLeanne Linard MP for funding us.

At our workshop #Dan she proved information about over 10 different visa programs *family reunion *Partner visa *Skill visa *Few types of working visa *Student visa *And the pathway to PR Healthcare or Teaching Occupations →ANZSCO Sub-major Group 25 – Health Professionals →ANZSCO Minor Group 241 – School Teachers →ANZSCO Minor Group 411 – Health and Welfare Support Workers →ANZSCO Unit Group 1341 – Child Care Centre Managers →ANZSCO Unit Group 2346 – Medical Scientists →ANZSCO Unit Group 2721 – Counsellors →ANZSCO Unit Group 2723 – Psychologists →ANZSCO Unit Group 2725 – Social Workers →ANZSCO Unit Group 3112 – Medical Technicians ANZSCO occupations: →134311 – School Principal →421111 – Child Care Worker →423111 – Aged or Disabled Carer →423312 – Nursing Support Worker →423313 – Personal Care Assistant. Skilled visa – employer-sponsored visa –sc 482 The TSS visa program assists Australian businesses that experience genuine skill shortages and cannot find Australian workers to fill vacant positions. requires employer sponsorship from a regional employer and the position must be likely to exist for 5 years. 494 Visa holders can: • live and work in Australia for up to five years • include immediate family on 494 visa • transition to permanent residency (if eligible) via the 191 Regional Skilled Visa. Truly it was a very useful workshop and hopefully, next year we have a few more workshops to answer the questions of our Afghan community. Special thanks to Nora Amath IWAA Galila Abdelsalam for gallowing me to use their Hall for workshop It means so much to our community.

The 26th Prime Minister of Australia, H.E. Kevin Rudd reaffirmed his support towards Afghan women. Once again, he shows solidarity for all women, in particular women of Afghanistan. It deserves to be mentioned that #Australia has not forgotten the women of Afghanistan and will continue its support towards them. I kindly request everyone to share the video in order to raise our voice for all women around the globe. Rita Anwari Sultani

Women Empowerment and Leadership had their thirtieth workshop on Friday 30th of September at the IAAW springwood office for the Afghan women who came to Australia after 15/08/21. The workshop starts by acknowledging the country. WEL AUS founder director Rita Anwari Sultani welcomes all sisters to Australia and our workshops. She discusses the opportunity for new Aghan Queensland residences in Queensland. Fatima from the IWAA representative introduce IWAA and the program provide by IWAA for Muslim women in Australia. IWAA programs provide: Women Empowerment leadership Programs are holding a expression of interest for the coming program: Which’s start as soon as next week. Our main goal is to help each other work as sisters. We have a full room of women who have come from Afghanistan and need our support urgently. They all feel comfortable as Muslim women sitting next to each other and talking about their needs. Most of these women were interested in driving and swimming classes which start as soon as next weekespecially for those under 25 which were booked for the coming week. Looking forward to seeing our sisters at our swimming classes on Monday and Thursday for Muslim women. Special thanks go to IWAA and their staff for helping women in western society to be themselves.