Empowering Afghan Women through Citizenship

Women Empowerment & Leadership takes great pride in its involvement in the esteemed International Small Business Summit Melbourne 2023. We are particularly delighted to highlight the significant role played by our distinguished representative, Dr. Rita Anwari (founder and director of Women Empowerment & Leadership), who graced the occasion as the keynote speaker. This summit brought together a notable assembly of influential figures across various sectors, including distinguished members of parliament and prominent business leaders. The Women Empowerment & Leadership Association operates a program aimed at providing new women with internship opportunities, enabling them to transition from the educational realm to practical, real-world experiences. As part of this initiative, Women Empowerment & Leadership had the distinct privilege of enhancing the International Small Business Summit by extending an opportunity to three interns from Bond University, each of whom is currently in the final year of their respective master’s degree programs. These accomplished interns, namely Yewayi (Final Year Law Student), Emilie (Final Year International Relations Program Student), and Shahna (Final Year Criminology Student), were granted a distinctive platform to actively participate in the summit and contribute through a presentation focused on the topic of women in business. This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering educational and professional development among aspiring women while promoting gender equality and empowerment. We are delighted to provide a comprehensive account of the experiences during our participation in the International Small Business Summit 2023, which took place in Melbourne on the 21st and 22nd of September 2023. This event has undoubtedly proven to be an invaluable experience for the interns, and they are deeply appreciative of the opportunity it afforded them. The summit featured an array of distinguished keynote speakers who delved into critical topics highly relevant to small businesses, encompassing areas such as taxation, technology, competitiveness, regulatory frameworks, and the establishment of a national Australian small business agency. The thoughtful structuring of the event, complete with breaks for morning tea freshness, a delectable lunch, and an afternoon tea break on both days, facilitated invaluable networking opportunities and the exchange of knowledge. The diverse range of topics covered provided us with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities that define the small business landscape. Notably, the presence of honorable members of parliament lent a unique and authoritative dimension to the event. Throughout the duration of the summit, various salient topics were explored, including discussions on trade relations between Hong Kong and India, with a spotlight on India’s potential to surpass China in this regard. Additionally, insights were provided into the coalition’s support for small businesses and discussions on matters concerning education, training, and industrial relations. The summit culminated with wrap-up sessions for both days and closing remarks, marking the conclusion of this intellectually stimulating event. Our time in Melbourne was genuinely enriching, as we had the privilege to interact with numerous distinguished individuals, including several honorable ministers. We wish to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Anwari for her unwavering belief in her interns and for granting her interns this remarkable opportunity. Her mentorship has played a pivotal role in the intern’s personal and professional development, and we genuinely value the wealth of knowledge and experiences she has shared with the interns. As we move forward, we are committed to applying the valuable insights and knowledge acquired during the summit to further advance the mission and objectives of Women Empowerment & Leadership. We would like to extend our sincere and heartfelt appreciation for Dr. Anwari’s unwavering support and invaluable guidance throughout this transformative journey. With great enthusiasm, they eagerly anticipate the ongoing continuation of their internship under her esteemed mentorship, recognizing the potential for further nurturing the personal and professional growth of young multicultural women. Dr. Anwari’s mentorship has undeniably played a pivotal role in facilitating their transition from the educational sphere to the practical realities of the real world with confidence. Furthermore, her mentorship has empowered them, as young multicultural women, to aspire to become future leaders in their respective fields. Her guidance has been instrumental in shaping the path toward empowerment and leadership for each of these women as interns.

On the 20th of June, Women Empowerment and Leadership was offered the wonderful opportunity to travel to the Parliament in Canberra and have a meeting with Hon. Jim Chalmers and the Chief Secretary of Hon. Murray Watt. The director and Founder, Rita Anwari Sultani, was joined by her intern, from Bond University Kaitlyn Byrnes international law and Human Rights Ambassador, Emelie Nordh International relation student. The visit to the #Parliament was incredibly fruitful. During the meeting with the incredible Hon. Jim Chalmers MP, Kaitlyn and Emelie were able to voice their ideas and thoughts on the #budget created by the Australian Labor Party Government. Furthermore, they received wonderful advice and encouragement from the treasurer of Australia, a gift that Kaitlyn and Emelie always will cherish. The team at Women Empowerment and Leadership were also fortunate to visit the Speakers House and had the honour of being personally invited by Hon. Milton Dick MP. It was a fantastic chance for #Kaitlyn and #Emelie to witness and learn about the intricate procedures at work in the Speakers House. Finally, the day ended with a meeting with the Chief Secretary of Hon. Murray Watt – Senator for Queensland, where a spectacular discussion was held, followed by remarkable insights and advice which further ignited a drive and passion for #Emelie and #Kaitlyn to realize their dreams. Human Rights Ambassador, Emelie Nordh and intern Kaitlyn Byrnes want to extend their gratitude to the parliament and especially to Hon. #Jim Chalmers for his passion and interest in listening to the youth of Australia. There is something magical when speaking and listening to the exceptional people who have been able to accomplish and become the very thing that you yourself aspire to be. This is where the ultimate inspiration and hope is created from. There are so many women around the world whose rights have been revoked and who do not have the opportunity in their society nor the tools to become empowered and to realise their fullest potential. This is a privilege that Women Empowerment and Leadership is grateful that they can provide to their incredible interns and volunteers who have big ambitions and even bigger dreams. This is what our not-for-profit organisation stands for, the empowerment of women, giving them the opportunities and tools to become the leaders of their own lives, and ultimately someday the change-makers of our time.