Maryam Zahid

Maryam Zahid is an award-winning Afghan-Australian human rights champion, diversity and inclusion practitioner, self-taught artist, and social commentator. She is the founder of the not-for-profit organisation Afghan Women on the Move, which has been a pillar of support for Afghan women in Australia. A proud resident of Blacktown, she was honoured with the NSW Humanitarian Award in 2022 by Her Excellency, the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, and was named Woman of the Year by Blacktown Council in 2019, amongst other prestigious awards and nominations.

Maryam arrived in Australia under the Women at Risk program and has since been dedicated to empowering women on their resettlement journey. She focuses on prevention of family and domestic violence, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and digital literacy, believing that stronger families lead to stronger communities. Her academic background includes studies in community development at Murdoch University, public policy at Oxford University, and executive leadership at Stanford University.

With over 23 years of experience in the sector, Maryam brings a wealth of knowledge in community development and refugee settlement, gained both from her lived experiences and professional work.

Under her visionary leadership, she has established a dynamic start-up not-for-profit organisation with a talented board of directors and advisers. She has forged strong partnerships with esteemed stakeholders, securing support from local, state, and federal governments, as well as private funders such as Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, Elmo Software, and several universities. Additionally, she runs a consultancy agency, Women Empowerment Pty Ltd, which provides consulting services on cultural diversity and women's issues.

Maryam's passion lies in fostering healing and connection through Afghan Women on the Move, building a vibrant community where women can thrive and support one another. Her work goes beyond providing services, creating a sense of belonging and empowerment for all involved.