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Our Team

Shugoofa Association is led by Dr. Shugoofa Bakhtary, a renowned and respected Afghan female poet. Under her inspiring leadership, our team comprises of dedicated and qualified Afghan women with extensive experience in international development, project design and implementation, gender equality, conflict and culturally sensitive programming. Our team members bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience from their work in both Afghanistan and Australia, ensuring that our programs are effective, inclusive, and responsive to the unique needs of the broader Afghan community.

Shugoofa Bakhtary

 

Founder of Shugoofa Organisation

&

Chief Executive Officer

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Shugoofa Bakhtary, completed her education at Khadija Jawzjani High School and graduated from Balkh Medical University.

Due to the challenging security situation in Afghanistan, she migrated to Australia, where she has been living with her family.

 

In 2022, she was honored as Woman of the Year for her outstanding contributions to the community.

As the founder of the Shugoofa Cultural Association in Melbourne, she has worked tirelessly to promote the rich language, culture, and heritage of Afghanistan. The association serves as a unifying platform for poets, writers, and cultural figures, creating a space where traditions are celebrated while addressing contemporary challenges.

 

Shugoofa has also used media broadcasts to amplify the voices of Afghans worldwide, fostering connection and understanding. Over the past seven years, she has dedicated herself to empowering women, working alongside them to build opportunities for growth and progress. She skillfully balances the cultural traditions of Afghanistan with a forward-looking mission to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality. By honoring heritage while advocating for women’s rights, she bridges generations and inspires communities to embrace both identity and progress.

Masoumeh Aghaali

 

Volunteer Event Coordinator

&

Community Outreach Coordinator

at

Shugoofa Organisation

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   Masoumeh Aghaali graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and

 

built a career centered around her passion for learning and helping others

 

In 2012, she moved to Australia, where she continued her professional development by earning a childcare certificate

In 2015, she began working in family day care, dedicating herself to nurturing and educating young children

Over the past five years,

Masoumeh has actively volunteered with Afghan and Iranian communities in Australia

Her commitment to empowering women and fostering cultural understanding has been a cornerstone of her efforts

She was the first person to believe in the vision of Shugoofa Organisation (SO), joining with passion and determination to support women and promote diversity.

Masoumeh’s unwavering dedication to helping others has made her a vital contributor to her community

and a champion for inclusion and opportunity

Hellan Atmar

 

Volunteer Community Liaison Officer

& Program Management Officer

at

Shugoofa Organisation

 


She brings over a decade of experience as a practitioner and academic in international
development and humanitarian aid. Her expertise spans program design, monitoring, and
evaluation with esteemed government and non-government organizations such as the Swiss
Foreign Office, USAID, Norwegian Church Aid, among many other international NGOs in Afghanistan.
She holds a master’s degree in diplomacy and international law, and a bachelor’s degree in
politics and international Relations from Coventry University in the UK. Driven by her
passion for community service, she pursued a diploma in Community Services with a focus on
case management
As a dedicated mother of two smart girls, her love for children has naturally led her to
become an educator. She firmly believes in the invisible leadership of women in both family and
community settings. This belief fuels her advocacy for women as agents of change
embodying the saying, & quota Educate one woman, and you educate a whole community

quota &
Her extensive experience includes working with immigrant and refugee communities in the UK
and Australia, providing her with a deep understanding of cultural sensitivity, political and
development priorities. She is committed to promoting gender equity and respect for cultural
diversity

UM Habibun Nessa

 

Volunteer Educator – Women’s Empowerment and Skills Training

&

Human Rights and Gender Equality Volunteer

at

Shugoofa Organisation

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With over 30 years of experience, UM Habibun Nessa is a dedicated human rights advocate specialising in gender equality, women's and children's rights, and minority protection. She has worked extensively across national, regional, and international platforms, providing consultancy, training, and policy development in areas such as child protection, sexual and reproductive health, and conflict transformation.

 

Her work spans legal practice, program leadership, and advisory roles with international organisations including Save the Children UK, UNICEF, and Columbia University’s Human Rights Program. Currently based in Melbourne, Australia, she is actively involved with the City of Casey Gender Equality team and SisterWorks Inc.

Areas of Expertise:

 

Human Rights • Gender & Inclusion • Peacebuilding • Conflict Transformation • Law & Policy (Bangladesh) • Alternative Dispute Resolution

Education:

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  • LLM in Human Rights – University of Hong Kong

  • LLB – University of Dhaka

 

Professional Affiliations:
Bangladesh Bar Council • Supreme Court Bar Association • Naripokkho • OMCT • Action Asia • UNICEF Innocenti Group • Hong Kong Human Rights Organisation

Mahtab Derakhshan hooreh

​Supporting Multicultural Youth to Build Confidence, Skills, and Future Pathways

Youth Coordinator

at

Shugoofa Organisation

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​Mahtab Derakhshan hooreh is a committed Youth Coordinator who works passionately to empower young people to reach their full potential. With a strong background in youth mentoring, community engagement, and settlement support, Mahtab brings a compassionate and culturally informed approach to every program she leads.

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She has extensive experience working with young people from migrant, refugee, and multicultural communities, helping them overcome challenges, build confidence, and find meaningful pathways in education, training, and employment. Mahtab focuses on creating safe, supportive, and inclusive environments where young people feel heard, respected, and motivated to grow.

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Her work includes delivering youth programs, wellbeing workshops, leadership activities, and cultural events that strengthen identity and community connection. Mahtab has a particular passion for supporting young girls and women, providing guidance, positive role modelling, and opportunities for them to develop strong communication, life skills, and self-belief. Mahtab works with workforce Australia the Transition to work program and is helping young people enter employment and education pathways. 

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Fluent in English, Dari, and Farsi, Mahtab is able to connect deeply with families and young people, offering support that is both accessible and culturally sensitive. Through her ongoing involvement with the Shugoofa Cultural Association, she continues to design and run programs that celebrate cultural diversity, promote social inclusion, and encourage young people to become active, confident members of their community.

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Shahla Dastyar

Youth Empowerment & Environmental Advocate

at

Shugoofa Organisation

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Shahla Dastyar is a university professor, educator, and creative artist from Afghanistan, now living in Australia. She is passionate about empowering youth, fostering creativity, and protecting the environment.

 

From an early age, Shahla turned everyday waste—such as plastic, paper, wood, and fruit peels—into decorative and artistic objects. What began as a childhood passion grew into a lifelong mission: raising awareness about environmental sustainability and inspiring others to find beauty and purpose in recycled materials.

 

She is a graduate of Kabul University of Education and began her career as a teacher, while also contributing to Afghan and international media outlets including Tolo TV, Ariana TV, Voice of America, and Sputnik Russia. Her workshops, such as “Buried Waste, Revealed Beauty”, have inspired students and communities to reduce waste, rethink consumption, and embrace sustainable practices.

 

In addition to her academic work, Shahla has been widely recognized for her creative projects, receiving awards and appreciation both in Afghanistan and internationally. She has dedicated her life to combining education, creativity, and environmental action, showing young people how small efforts can lead to meaningful change.

 

Since relocating to Australia, Shahla continues her educational and artistic work. She plans to return to teaching while expanding her environmental art projects, mentoring youth, and developing programs that connect creativity with sustainability. Her goal is to inspire the next generation to protect the planet through knowledge, innovation, and artistic expression.

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Dr Parisa Pourhosseini

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Researcher | Cultural Specialist | Community Development Strategist

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Dr Parisa Pourhosseini is an accomplished researcher and cultural specialist with over 15 years of experience across academic, community, and government sectors. With a PhD in Cultural Heritage (Anthropology & Sociology), she is passionate about driving social change through inclusive research, cultural advocacy, and community-led development.

Her work bridges disciplines and cultures, focusing on empowering diverse communities and shaping policies that respond to complex social issues. She brings deep expertise in research methodologies, stakeholder engagement, and the co-design of programs that strengthen community resilience and identity.

      Key Areas of Expertise

  • Cultural heritage research and preservation (including UNESCO nomination processes)

  • Community empowerment, capacity-building, and leadership development

  • Placemaking and built environment strategies for diverse communities

  • Grant writing, program implementation, and impact reporting

     Career Highlights​

  • Delivered cultural and leadership programs for MiCare, benefiting over 50 community leaders and diverse groups across Victoria.

  • Produced government-endorsed reports on refugee integration and multicultural empowerment in partnership with RMIT University.

  • Advocated for social justice and human rights through international work with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

  • Published academic work and fiction exploring cultural identity, social issues, and migration narratives.

     Education

  • PhD in Cultural Heritage (Anthropology & Sociology), Curtin University

  • MA in Cultural and Religious Studies, University of Sydney

  • MA in Cultural Heritage, Deakin University

  • BA in Cultural and Social Studies, Azad Tehran University

      Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Australian Anthropological Society (AAS)

  • Member, International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)

  • Member, Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

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