Shahira Mohseni has been named NSW’s Rotary Young Inspirational Woman for 2022 at the Rotary Inspirational Women’s Award ceremony.

Shahira was born in Afghanistan, where education was forbidden under Taliban rule. She was educated at home by her parents and, after fleeing her home country, went on to gain a degree in literature and a Master in Business (with distinction) at the University of Wollongong.

Empowering women has long been a focus for Shahira. Inspired by her parents, she knows the value of education and equality for women in the hardest circumstances. She has given her time to many projects, including mentoring young women and girls at the Afghanistan Youth House, volunteering with the SCARF/Healthy Cities Illawarra Active Connections program and delivering SCARF cultural capacity training to help increase understanding and inclusiveness at local schools and businesses.

When Shahira came to Australia to study she never expected to find herself becoming a refugee. Despite facing many challenges, Shahira makes the most of every opportunity to advocate for women’s rights.

As well as being an advocate, volunteer and in full-time work, Shahira has launched her own jewellery business with a social impact, ‘Roz Boutique’. She hand-makes paper earrings and aims to inspire other women by sharing her story. Shahira said the Rotary award means a lot. “No matter who I am or where I have come from and how challenging the journey has been, I learned that we all have unique powers to change things for ourselves and others.”

SCARF will hold a fundraising trivia night on Friday, 21 October at Illawarra Steelers. Visit scarfsupport.org.au