Key Points
- Kaif-ul-Wara and Abeer Fatima Qadri emigrated to Australia with their parents 12 years ago.
- As a psychologist and youth advocate, Abeer says more support is needed for CALD families around education.
- She says simple measures such as homework clubs are ways to bring the community together.
Sisters Kaif-ul-Wara Qadri and Abeer Fatima Qadri migrated to Australia with their family in 2011, at the ages of 12 and seven, respectively.
Despite the opportunities afforded to them in their new country after arriving from Pakistan, they faced a range of cultural, educational, and social differences.
Today, more than 12 years later, both have settled successfully and are pursuing higher education opportunities.
They also volunteer for important issues, such as youth advocacy and mental health, and are involved in local councils and advisory groups to the Victorian Parliament as well.
For the last two years, Kaif-ul-Wara has been participating in a program called , which enables young writers to undertake an intensive program of learning and mentoring from MPs, their staff and press gallery journalists.
She has also been writing for non-profit organisations about youth issues such as mental health. Her article enitled 'Why advocacy for young people matters?' caught the attention of one of the members of the Parliament of Victoria’s youth team.
Mental health issues are still considered a taboo topic among some CALD communities, says Kaif-ul-Wara. Credit: Tetra images RF
Her focus is on mental health issues which unfortunately remain taboo among some migrant communities, according to Kaif-ul-Wara.
Sometimes, you feel an outsider in both (your original and adopted) cultures ... and this can cause an identity crisis.Kaif-ul-Wara
"We should normalise mental health by talking about it. Parents should sit and talk openly with kids who are dealing with anxiety and anger issues, and provide them help if needed."
A question for parliament
Representing the State of the Future Youth Forum, Abeer recently presented a question to members of the Victorian Parliament.
Directed to the Victorian Youth minister Natalie Suleyman, she asked: “How can I as a 'culturally and linguistically diverse' (CALD) individual challenge unconscious bias and get involved in (the) parliamentary process?”
The question led to Abeer being invited to speak in the Parliament in the evening session. She highlighted the problems of immigrant youth and offered suggestions for improving the education system.
Speaking to SBS Urdu on this topic, Abeer mentioned her experiences, some of which had been challenging.
(For example) when I came to Australia, some teachers assumed I didn't know English even though I had been studying in an English medium school in Pakistan.Abeer Fatima
To make matters worse, she said a school librarian had told people that she had taught her to read whereas she had already been a competent reader in English from her schooling in Pakistan.
Abeer Fatima represented migrant communities in the Victorian Parliament. Credit: Abeer Fatima
As I didn't know that there are two breaks here, I used to eat my lunch at recess and the kids used to make fun of me.Abeer Fatima
'Parents need help navigating their children's education'
Abeer says while she doesn't think there is overt discrimination in the education system in Australia, the parents of migrant children need more support.
I don't think there is any discrimination in education specifically, but parents of children from immigrant backgrounds (sometimes) don't understand the education system here, so they need more support.Abeer Fatima
In order to provide support in the area of education, Abeer volunteered and advocated for homework clubs at several schools.
Abeer Fatima says homework clubs can help parents of CALD students to connect and share their experiences. Credit: Abeer Fatima
Her youth advocacy work also included lobbying for increased funds for CALD community projects.
"As a Merri-bek Youth Ambassador (from when I was in year 11 until my first year of university, 2020-2022), I held a pivotal role in advising decision-makers responsible for allocating funds to community projects aimed at benefiting youth," she said.
"During that time, I've been a strong advocate for the ongoing homework club initiatives within my local community.
"Dedicated volunteers organise these sessions at local libraries like Glenroy Library and schools such as John Fawkner College, focusing on areas with a significant CALD community presence, notably Pakistani.
"These sessions provide valuable support to students ranging from prep to year 10, assisting them with their homework questions."
'More psychologists from CALD backgrounds needed'
As student of psychology, Abeer says she believes that immigrant groups needed psychologists who were familiar with their cultural backgrounds and religious needs.
In fact, Abeer said more people from CALD backgrounds were needed in every field including teaching.
It would (have been) easier if I had had a teacher in my school who looked like me.Abeer Fatima
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