Hazara Shamama Association of Victoria proudly celebrated International Women’s Day 2026 under the theme “Empowerment Through Unity.”

Event registrations were open for only one week, and the organisation reached full capacity of 350 registrations within this short period. Due to the overwhelming response from the community, registrations had to be closed early, and apologies were sent to those who were unable to secure a place. The strong interest and support demonstrated the community’s commitment to events that promote empowerment, inclusion, and community connection. With more than 350 people in attendance, the evening was a meaningful and inspiring celebration of women’s achievements, resilience, leadership, and contributions to our community.

What made this event particularly significant was that it was largely organised and led by the female members of our association under the leadership of our Event and Culture Coordinator, Farahnaz Sultani. This was not only a celebration of women, but also a strong example of women’s leadership, initiative, and teamwork in action.

The program included speeches from Dr Zakir Hussain, President of the Hazara Shamama Association, and Vice President Nadia Nazari, who spoke about the importance of women’s leadership, opportunity, and inclusion within our community. The keynote address was delivered by Shabnam Safa OAM, who shared powerful insights on leadership, exceptionalism, and the important role women play in shaping stronger and more connected communities.

We were honoured to have Gabrielle Williams MP and Belinda Wilson MP join us and speak about the resilience of women in leadership. We were also privileged to have Gary Maas MP and Michael Galea MP attend and show their support for the community and this important event.

A special moment of the evening was when Dr Farkhondeh Akbari presented her book Women, Peace, and Security in Afghanistan as a gift to our distinguished speakers Shabnam Safa OAM and Belinda Wilson MP.

The evening also included a poem recited by Zahra Atai, and music performance by Asgher Ali Asha, Habib Sadat and Ali Akber. These moments highlighted the importance of women’s voices, leadership, and the ongoing global conversation around peace and security.

This program would not have been possible without the generous support of around 13 local business sponsors who contributed to making this event a success. Their support demonstrates the strong connection between local businesses and community organisations in supporting initiatives that empower women and strengthen the community.

International Women’s Day is not only a celebration - it is also a reminder of responsibility. A responsibility to create opportunities, to support leadership, and to ensure that the next generation of girls grow up in a community where their ambitions are supported and their voices are heard.

Hazara Shamama Association would like to sincerely thank everyone who registered, attended, supported, and contributed to this special event. Together, we uplift voices, share knowledge, and empower our community.