The Journey
Tahera was working with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in northern Afghanistan when the Taliban attacked the city in 1998, forcing her to flee the country to avoid execution. Her journey led her to Pakistan, where she rejoined MSF. There, she faced numerous challenges as a young refugee woman with no family support. Eventually, her family joined her, but they too struggled, facing economic hardship, language barriers, and living under the constant threat of being recognised by the Taliban government.
Arriving in Australia
Arriving in Australia on a Humanitarian Refugee Visa offered Tahera a breath of fresh air. She continued her education whilst taking on the responsibility of raising her family’s children. Through hard work and determination, she established herself as a tax agent and business coach and advisor. She later founded a not-for-profit organisation, the Afghan Peace Foundation, working with numerous international and national organisations and government bodies. In 2019, her business was honoured at the Parramatta Local Business Awards, and the following year, she was recognised as one of the top ten businesswomen in Parramatta.
Giving Back
Tahera’s father was a translator for the Red Cross and she describes herself as “born into a humanitarian family”. As such, she is deeply committed to giving back to the community, and has worked for over 20 years with a range of national and international organisations, including MSF, the United Nations Children’s Fund in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the Department for International Development. Tahera currently collaborates with local councils and the Federal Government, advocating for refugee and women’s rights and education.
