Women Empowerment & Leadership (WEL) is a Springfield-based non-profit association committed to advocating for women’s rights globally and helping empower women to become leaders in society.
We have helped evacuate around 600 Afghan refugees to Australia through Australia’s emergency evacuation process.
WEL is led by founder and president Rita Anwari and vice president Pushpa Vaghela, with a dedicated team of board members, advisors, and ambassadors.
IHF Impact Day
We recently donated bags of comfort items to mothers of premature babies for the annual Ipswich Hospital Foundation (IHF) Impact Day held on December 13.
The primary purpose of Impact Day is to raise funds so that regional-based mums and others can receive vital care closer to home.
Amidst a spirited one-day fundraising drive, WEL generously donated 30 thoughtfully curated bags. Packed to the brim with essentials tailored for both women and newborns, the bags held a collective value of at least $300 each.
These gestures are designed to evoke joy and bright smiles, especially during this festive season.
This collaborative effort highlights the strength and compassion within our community [and is an] unwavering commitment to women at every stage of their lives. By nurturing women’s empowerment, we’re nurturing a brighter future for everyone.
For more information about Impact Day, and to donate, visit ihfchristmas.raisely.com.
Business and politics
Last year, WEL participated in the International Small Business Summit Melbourne 2023, a platform that brought together a diverse group of business professionals and members of parliament.
One of the most enlightening encounters during the summit was with Dr. Anne Nalder, the distinguished head of Islamic Women Associates Australia. Dr Nalder’s wealth of experience and wisdom provided us with a profound understanding of empowering women within the context of small businesses.
Witnessing her commitment to fostering empowerment and inclusivity reinforced the importance of strong and visionary leaders in driving positive change.
A visit to the Parliament House in Canberra was another enriching experience, where we met influential ministers and engaged in intellectually stimulating discussions that underscored the importance of political involvement in fostering women’s empowerment.
Accompanying WEL during these events was our intern Shahna who said her semester with Rita and the WEL team was “a transformative chapter in [her] academic journey”.
“Rita Anwari’s mentorship has been a guiding force, and the experiences gained will undoubtedly shape my future endeavours in advocating for gender equality and women empowerment,” Shahna said, upon completion of her time with us.
– Thank you
Rita Anwari and the Women Empowerment & Leadership team
For more information, please visit welaus.com.au or facebook.com/WomenEmpowermentandLeadership.
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