Australia Awards South and West Asia

Shawana Shah completed her Master of Development Studies from the University of Melbourne in 2023 with the support of an Australia Awards Scholarship. The following video is a reflection of Shawana’s life as an Australia Awards scholar in Australia. 

Having been part of the development sector in Pakistan for the previous seven years, Shawana had a passion for learning about developmental issues and practices across the world, and the counter-strategies and advocacy methods used in developed nations that could be replicated in South Asian countries.

“My Australia Awards journey has been full of learning, recreation and experimentation, both at personal and professional levels,” Shawana says.

Her Scholarship saw her resume tertiary education after a gap of seven years, which she describes as an incredible experience, “because of the teachers, who not only were supportive of my educational journey but also recognised my professional experience at ground level and provided me with networking opportunities to ensure my growth”.

During her time at the University of Melbourne, Shawana was part of its Industry Conversations program, which aims to link students with industry experts. Given her experience as a development specialist in Pakistan, Shawana participated in one of the sessions as a speaker to guide students from the Arts faculty on their career choices, the future of the development sector and placement procedures within the university.

Shawana with fellow Pakistani scholar, Farwa Abbas, at the University of Melbourne in 2023.

She was also elected as Vice President of the Australia Awards Scholars Committee at the University of Melbourne. In this role, she helped provide scholars with educational, recreational and professional development opportunities through exposure visits, advocating for their rights and linking them to the university’s career support section.

“Outside of university, I had the liberty to be free and enjoy life without the fear of harassment, discrimination or threat,” Shawana reports. “I was able to practice sports, learn to dance and make new friends. My overall experience of the Australia Awards journey within and outside of the university has been very beneficial for my mental peace, social confidence and personal growth.”

Through the Australia Awards Mentorship Program, Shawana was connected with a mentor who had extensive experience in working for gender equality in the Asia-Pacific region, specifically on transgender rights. With the guidance of her mentor, Shawana was able to learn about development strategies and institutions in Australia and take part in events related to transgender empowerment in Melbourne. She also volunteered with the Australian Red Cross, assisting with communications to plan and coordinate trainings and emergency response visits.

Shortly before her return to Pakistan, Shawana attended the Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia Scholars Symposium in Melbourne, giving her the chance to hear from Australian leaders, network with other scholars, and consider her plans to impact change on return to Pakistan.

Shawana (right) with fellow scholars from Pakistan, Akhtar Ali (left) and Noreen Jan (centre), attending the Scholars Symposium in Melbourne in November 2023.

“I have also been able to build my professional networks with a series of experts from the development sector and from international organisations across the world who also happen to be Australia Awards scholars, which is one of the best things because, together, we are planning activities around gender equality in countries like Maldives, Mongolia, Sri Lanka and Nepal,” she says.

Upon returning to Pakistan, Shawana resumed her work as a Program Director at Da Hawwa Lur, a non-profit organisation located in the northwest part of Pakistan. This organisation provides advocacy, services and community intervention to create a feminist movement for building an inclusive and gender equal world. As outlined in her Development Impact and Linkages Plan, she is currently working with the police of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and key stakeholders to formulate and develop a protection framework for women and transgender people in the region.

Shawana at her graduation.

In the future, Shawana hopes to strengthen programs related to women and transgender rights in her organisation, as well as launch a social enterprise to assist the economic development and financial inclusion of female and transgender survivors of sexual- and gender-based violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“The Australia Awards Scholarship is a unique and enriching experience for an individual to strengthen their professional development and personal growth,” Shawana says. “It gives exposure to a person to interact with a diverse group of people, experience various cultures and learn from one of the best faculties in the world.”