Afghan Women on the Move: Program offers free swimming lessons for refugee women

A unique program in Sydney’s southwest has taken the initiative to empower recently arrived Afghan refugee women with free swimming lessons to learn “lifesaving skills” and experience the joy of being in the water without fear.

Not-for-profit organisation 'Afghan Women on The Move' provides free swimming lessons to newly arrived refugee women in Sydney's southwest. Picture: Inasha Iftekhar

For many Afghan women that have fled to Australia as refugees, swimming was not something they could easily do in their landlocked, war-torn homeland.

A unique program in Sydney’s southwest has taken the initiative to provide these women access to free swim classes and teach them important skills to keep themselves and their families safe around water.

The program is run by non-profit organisation Afghan Women on the Move (AWOTM), which provides lessons for 20 women at Liverpool’s Whitlam Leisure Centre, twice a week across 10 weeks, sponsored by Belgravia Leisure.

Maryam Zahid, CEO of AWOTM, a former refugee who arrived in Australia 20 years ago, understands the challenges faced by these women.

Maryam Zahid, CEO of Afghan Women On The Move (AWOTM). Picture: Inasha Iftekhar

CEO Mariam Zahid formed Afghan Women On The Move to empower refugee women in need and offer mentorship to help them adjust to life in Australia. Picture: Inasha Iftekhar

She shared how lost she first felt navigating Australian life without any guidance or mentorship, and not knowing the freedoms available to her.

“I’m not saying everything here is perfect or easy, but you have the opportunity that if you want something you can fight for it without fear of being killed or put in jail,” Ms Zahid said.

One in four people that drown in Australia is a person born overseas. Experts say programs such as Afghan Women on The Move are key to addressing the issue. Picture: Inasha Iftekhar

The swimming program has helped these women make bonds, find a sense of community in Australia and get physical exercise, vastly improving their mental health. Picture: Inasha Iftekhar

After a successful launch at Whitlam Leisure Centre in 2022 and a subsequent run at Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre, the program now faces a “long waitlist” of women eager to join.

Ms Zahi’s primary goal is to empower Afghan women with opportunities they were previously denied, and reduce as many barriers for entry as possible by providing free lessons and supplying culturally appropriate swimwear – so women can just “bring themselves”.

“In Afghanistan, learning to swim was not a priority, and cultural stigma often prevented women from participating in such activities,” Ms Zahid said.

“Here in Australia, we want to give these women the chance to overcome their fears and embrace the water without any hesitation.”

A class of 20 Afghan women who recently arrived in Australia come together twice a week at the Whitlam centre to learn how to swim. Picture: Inasha Iftekhar

Graphics and animation designer, Mursal Aziz, 28, is a volunteer co-ordinator and participant of the program that arrived in Australia less than a year ago.

Ms Aziz walks 20 minutes from her home to Whitlam Leisure centre for the lessons which she says provided a great opportunity for these women “to be with our community, make new friends and manage our stress”.

“We are now in a country that is surrounded by water and I find it’s very essential that we all know how to swim … that way we can help ourselves or others in an emergency,” Ms Aziz said.

Mursal Aziz, 28, is a graphics and animation designer is a participant and volunteer co-ordinator for the swimming program. She arrived in Australia less than a year ago from Afghanistan. Picture: Inasha Iftekhar

These women are taught lifesaving skills to be safe around water for themselves and their children. Picture: Inasha Iftekhar

On average 288 people drown each year in Australia, with around one in four of them born overseas according to Royal Life Saving Australia.

Their research into the issue showed that “although men continue to be over-represented in these statistics”, women in migrant communities are often “conduits and advocates for water safety among their families”.