Shugoofa Organisation
Non-For-Profit Organisation
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
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