Farhana Mostofa named NSW Volunteer of the Year Inner West for giving migrant women a helping hand

WHEN Farhana Mostofa arrived in Australia from Bangladesh three years ago she knew nobody. What she did next has seen her win NSW Volunteer of the Year and a Pride of Australia nomination.

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WHEN Farhana Mostofa arrived in Australia three years ago from Bangladesh she knew nobody.

So, she understands better than anyone why migrant women need a helping hand, and why a group like the Probashi Bangladeshi Women’s Association is needed.

Ms Mostafa was recently named the NSW Volunteer of the Year for the Inner West for her work as the founding director of the association.

She has also been nominated for the 2016 Pride Of Australia Medal, supported by ClubsNSW.

Based in Lakemba, the PBWA, run by 25 volunteers, provides practical help for migrant women, connecting them to services like social security, health, Medicare, education, housing, childcare. It has helped almost 100 women gain jobs.

Ms Mostafa said the priority was to provide a support network for women and help them create a life here.

“The main purpose is to help women build up their confidence,” Ms Mostafa said.

“For me it was easy, I didn’t face that language barrier but I understand and know what kind of problems they face.”

Centre for volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said Ms Mostafa was a “true advocate of women’s rights”.

“She has been working selflessly to extend the opportunities to the women in her community who are otherwise disadvantaged due to language and cross-cultural barriers.”

For more information about the Pride of Australia award or to nominate somebody see: prideofaustralia.com.au