The Journey
Sidiqa and her family left their home country for Indonesia in 2013, in search of safety. Like thousands of others, they were forced to flee as a result of the systematic discrimination, persecution, war, and ongoing genocide the Hazara community faced.
Upon arrival in Indonesia, they were shocked to discover that asylum seekers and refugees were considered illegal immigrants. As such, access to basic human rights such as education and work opportunities were restricted. In desperation, Sidiqa worked with a team of others to establish learning centres for children in need of schooling. Faced with such challenging circumstances, she drew on her incredible resourcefulness – and dedication to understanding the needs of her community – to find durable solutions. She represented the refugee community in Indonesia to advocate to UNHCR and partner organisations for refugee rights, including protection, education, health, and resettlement.
Arriving in Australia
In 2022, Sidiqa finally arrived on the land of the Wurundjeri people (Melbourne). She had made many international friends through her advocacy in Indonesia, and was delighted to now live alongside them in Australia. To this day, she remains grateful to the people who helped her resettle and integrate in her new home – including some who she had never even met before.
Giving Back
Sidiqa’s decade living as a refugee in Indonesia serves her as a constant reminder of over 14,000 refugees and people seeking asylum, who are still stuck there in limbo, and of her journey from persecution and fear to sanctuary. With this lived experience and inside perspective of the refugee crisis, she decided to continue her work in social justice by sharing her refugee journey to raise awareness and advocate for increasing the refugee intake. She took on the role of Project Officer with the Community Engagement team at the Refugee Council, working on the expansion of the Refugee Stories for Change program. She also works at Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA), where she encourages everyday Australians to develop and support the implementation of community-led initiatives to welcome more refugees into Australia.
