In this insightful episode, Maryam Zahid shares her powerful journey from being a refugee in Afghanistan to becoming a community leader and advocate for women’s rights in Australia. She reflects on her childhood experiences during the war, the challenges of resettling in a new country, and her mission to empower Afghan women. Through her work, she addresses issues of trauma, gender inequality, and the importance of building supportive networks for new arrivals. Maryam emphasizes the resilience of refugees and the need to challenge misconceptions about their experiences.
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro & Maryam’s Journey: From Afghanistan to Australia
04:15 – Childhood Memories: The Impact of War
08:42 – Understanding Gender Inequality in Afghanistan
12:37 – The Decision to Leave: A Family’s Escape
17:20 – Arriving in Australia: Challenges and Opportunities
21:55 – Healing Through Helping: The Power of Community
26:40 – Empowering Afghan Women: A Mission of Advocacy
31:10 – Overcoming Barriers: Building Confidence in Women
35:30 – Facing Resistance: The Struggle for Gender Equality
40:05 – Visibility and Leadership: The Price of Being Outspoken
45:18 – Advice for New Arrivals: Building a Support Network
49:45 – Debunking Misconceptions: The Reality of Refugees
54:10 – Embracing Australian Identity: A Personal Reflection
Maryam’s book recommendation:
Happy Refugee, by Anh Do
To contact / follow Maryam:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryam-zahid-858893143/
https://www.instagram.com/maryam_popal_zahid_/
https://afghanwomenonthemove.org.au/
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I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!
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This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.
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Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit Australian podcast network sharing real stories of resilience, disability, and transformation.
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