Zohra Akseer

October 2008 Update

Talking about my experience since coming to the Sydney, and the reason that I am studying in Australia is life-sized. Firstly, my coming to Australia is to be educated on higher International standard and enhance my knowledge and understanding on legal bases. Secondly, I want to experience the culture, people and work differences between Afghanistan and Australia. Therefore, I want you to have a brief flash-back to my life and my country. As it is cleared that living in a post conflicted society such as Afghanistan is not challengeable but in same time really dangerous and unsafe. However, from the time I opened my eyes to the world I have just heard about political war, poverty, homicide of poor people, physical and mental hardship, and violation against women and toward children, sexual harassment, forced marriages and many more….

All these hurdles had a strong effect on me and after I had graduated from school, I was thinking that what will be that key with the purpose  to enable me  to defense the rights of my people and help my people; that key was law and political  Science faculty. This wasn’t an easy decision for a girl in Afghanistan.  I started my struggle with entering to political and legal environment. As a law student and an activist for women empowerment and their rights I always tried to have young network at university who feel same as me and want to give the women their rights that they deserve it, as well bring to an end doing misinterpretation of Islam. All the experience that I got through my years working for Women’s Rights issues encouraged me to apply for Peace Scholarship Program. Luckily, I was the one who met all the requirements of Peace scholars and I come here to Australia to develop my awareness based on legal bases. Now, it is my fifth month of being here in Sydney. Of course in these five months I had different life and work experience as I was able to meet with other people, exchange ideas, and learn from their experiences that are working in similar issues from different corners of the world, in addition I am seizing this opportunity and learning more about the rights based approach to development. For instance, I have selected to the National Student Leadership Forum (NSLF) out of 400 applicants and took part in this event for four days which held in Canberra Parliament house. It was with a surrounding array of mixed feelings that comes from brining together 200 bright and motivated young leaders from all corners of Australia and surrounding countries. Most of these participants were chosen by their local Member of Parliament (PM), universities, colleges, and individuals who believed in our motivation for bringing about positive change as young leaders. The NSLDF unfolds and invites young individuals to think about what faith and values mean and how these values impact individuals’ life. The NSLDF also allows participants to share their idea in a welcoming friendly environment. To my understanding the event was very effective in terms of brining together excellent speakers, the inspiring mentors and motivators, the expert facilitators as well as the young leaders. 200 young leaders came together and were able to share similarities in their personal and social experiences. It was a chance to celebrate diversity and fill the gap between cultures and regions. 

To sum up, being here, learning and enjoying my time is such as nice moment of my life…… and I am very optimist to see the end of my journey in the beautiful city of Australia (Sydney)