People of Ryde presents Farzana Farzana
Published on 15 June 2022
Being a former refugee, born in Pakistan as a member of the Hazara ethnic minority, Farzana holds a Master of Business Administration from Western Sydney University. In Pakistan, she worked as a Master Trainer with UNICEF on a girl’s empowerment initiative called The Girl Child, that addressed the needs and challenges girls were facing by promoting their empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. Being an educated woman in Pakistan wasn’t an easy life. In 2010, Farzana was forced to leave her home country and flee to Australia due to the increasing level of discrimination and persecution.
In the first year of living in Australia Farzana was offered a role working with Navitas Skilled Futures (formerly Navitas English) who recognised her skills and qualifications, coupled with the asset that she spoke five languages (Hazaragi, Farsi, Dari, Urdu and Hindi) in addition to English. Through sheer hard work and dedication her talent was recognised and appreciated and was able to move her way up in the organisation; Navitas English in different roles such as Program Administrator, Operations Manager and Stakeholder Engagement Manager.
To take her portfolio to the next level of success and to further help the community, in particular refugee women, Farzana Joined Community Migrant Resource Centre as a Program Manager. Farzana has been able to communicate effectively with clients and refugee support groups in the local community as she is able to relate to the challenges new migrants and refugees face arriving in a foreign country during a time of immense change in their lives. Farzana has been instrumental in supporting programs to improve settlement outcomes clients and vulnerable members of local communities.
In recognition of her efforts with local community groups, refugees and migrants, relationships with multiple organisations and strong local ties, she was nominated for Citizen of the Year (2016) for Cumberland Council and was rewarded with a Certificate of Achievement.
In Farzana’s current role as Northern Region Program Manager, she works closely with government and community organisations to improve settlement, education and employment
Written by Farzana Farzana, Northern Region Program Manager, Community Migrant Resource Centre