Leila Abukar ليلى أبو بكر | |
---|---|
Born | 1974 or 1975 (age 49–50) |
Alma mater | University of Queensland |
Occupation | political activist |
Leila Abukar ( Somali: Leyla Abukar, Arabic: ليلى أبو بكر) is a Somali- Australian political activist.
Abukar was born between 1974 and 1975 in Somalia. [1] [2] She attended a private school in Mogadishu. [3]
When the civil war broke out in 1991, her father and eldest brother were killed by militants. Abukar's mother subsequently took the family to a UN asylum center in Kenya. The teenager therein volunteered as an office interpreter, teaching children and raising awareness on reproductive health. [2] In 1997, Abukar moved alone to Australia through a women-at-risk program run by the Australian High Commission. [3] Soroptimist International group workers helped her settle into her new surroundings in Moorooka, Brisbane, with her family later joining her. [2]
For her tertiary education, Abukar earned a bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of Queensland. [2] [3] She also holds a post-graduate diploma and master's degree in the discipline. [2] Additionally, she has qualifications in Disability Support and Conflict Resolution. [4]
Abukar is Muslim. [5] She is multilingual, speaking seven languages. [2] A mother of two children, a son (Abdi) and daughter (Diamond), [6] she and her family reside in the Brisbane suburb of Yeerongpilly. [4]
Abukar began her career as an interpreter for the Australian Department of Immigration. [3] She has significant experience as a Community Advocate, working in a broad range of senior management posts with government, council and non-profit organisations. [4]
In addition, Abukar was previously a member of the Queensland Multicultural Roundtable, the Refugees Resettlement Advisory Council, and the Council for Multicultural Australia. [4] She also campaigned against female genital mutilation. [7]
In 2014-2015, Abukar ran for office as the Liberal National Party of Queensland candidate for the Yeerongpilly electoral district. She vied for the seat in a field of four other aspirants. [8] If elected, she would have become the first Somali and Muslim to serve in the Queensland Parliament. [9] Abukar came in second place, earning 31.4% of the total vote in the first round run-off and 36.7% in the final round against the eventual winner Mark Bailey of the Australian Labor Party. [8]
Abukar has received various awards and recognition for her societal work. In 2001, she was presented a Centenary Medal by the Australian government for her contributions to Crisis Counselling, Advocacy and Settlement vis-a-vis the Somali community and other immigrant populations in Queensland. [4] [10]
Leila Abukar ليلى أبو بكر | |
---|---|
Born | 1974 or 1975 (age 49–50) |
Alma mater | University of Queensland |
Occupation | political activist |
Leila Abukar ( Somali: Leyla Abukar, Arabic: ليلى أبو بكر) is a Somali- Australian political activist.
Abukar was born between 1974 and 1975 in Somalia. [1] [2] She attended a private school in Mogadishu. [3]
When the civil war broke out in 1991, her father and eldest brother were killed by militants. Abukar's mother subsequently took the family to a UN asylum center in Kenya. The teenager therein volunteered as an office interpreter, teaching children and raising awareness on reproductive health. [2] In 1997, Abukar moved alone to Australia through a women-at-risk program run by the Australian High Commission. [3] Soroptimist International group workers helped her settle into her new surroundings in Moorooka, Brisbane, with her family later joining her. [2]
For her tertiary education, Abukar earned a bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of Queensland. [2] [3] She also holds a post-graduate diploma and master's degree in the discipline. [2] Additionally, she has qualifications in Disability Support and Conflict Resolution. [4]
Abukar is Muslim. [5] She is multilingual, speaking seven languages. [2] A mother of two children, a son (Abdi) and daughter (Diamond), [6] she and her family reside in the Brisbane suburb of Yeerongpilly. [4]
Abukar began her career as an interpreter for the Australian Department of Immigration. [3] She has significant experience as a Community Advocate, working in a broad range of senior management posts with government, council and non-profit organisations. [4]
In addition, Abukar was previously a member of the Queensland Multicultural Roundtable, the Refugees Resettlement Advisory Council, and the Council for Multicultural Australia. [4] She also campaigned against female genital mutilation. [7]
In 2014-2015, Abukar ran for office as the Liberal National Party of Queensland candidate for the Yeerongpilly electoral district. She vied for the seat in a field of four other aspirants. [8] If elected, she would have become the first Somali and Muslim to serve in the Queensland Parliament. [9] Abukar came in second place, earning 31.4% of the total vote in the first round run-off and 36.7% in the final round against the eventual winner Mark Bailey of the Australian Labor Party. [8]
Abukar has received various awards and recognition for her societal work. In 2001, she was presented a Centenary Medal by the Australian government for her contributions to Crisis Counselling, Advocacy and Settlement vis-a-vis the Somali community and other immigrant populations in Queensland. [4] [10]