Marwa Wasiqe: A young Australian’s journey through community service
Marwa Wasiqe has an unwavering commitment to community service. While her contribution and efforts largely impact migrants living in Australia, her multifaceted approach results in support for families, young people, mothers and seniors, all with varied experiences and diverse backgrounds, across a number of different programs and initiatives.
Marwa began her journey of community service at the age of 15, when she co-founded AFG Young Leaders, after recognising the gap in support for newly arrived refugees from Afghanistan. With Afghan ancestry herself, Marwa played a vital role in ensuring that young individuals could experience a smoother settlement process in Australia, fostering better mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing, as well as helping youth explore and preserve their cultural identity. As a result of her mentorship and guidance over the past five years, two women started their own business, three pursued studies in nursing, and many gained employment from developed leadership skills and increased confidence.
Other programs that Marwa has contributed to include Towards the Light, a capacity building program to engage and build rapport with young mothers and women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, to equip them with essential skills, create pathways and foster financial independence. The Dream Plan Do Project brought together elders and young people from refugee families to connect over arts and storytelling, HERS Project delivered educational sessions on sexual and reproductive health to young multicultural women, and she has supported refugee women who have experienced torture and trauma to overcome resettlement challenges, achieve self-sufficiency, and even become mentors themselves. The impact on participants is improved mental health and relationships with themselves and their families, combined with a greater sense of belonging and inclusion within the broader community and society.
As an active member of the community who fosters inclusion and celebrates culture, Marwa is regularly invited to represent and showcase Afghan culture and youth engagement, such as the WA Young Labour Multicultural Festival, Business and Professional Women events, and forums with the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA).
All of this over several years led to Marwa receiving the 2024 Young Community Citizen of the Year Award from City of Stirling on Australia Day. Since then, Marwa has not slowed down. She has been involved in the Roads2Respect project – a collaboration with YACWA and Red Cross to educate CaLD students about family domestic violence; invited to speak at the University of the Third Age; and engaged with numerous advocacy groups and organisations. Professionally, Marwa is able to use her passion for connecting cultures, empowering young people and fostering inclusion, as Community Engagement Officer within the City of Belmont.
Reflecting on her drive and purpose, Marwa told Auspire:
“For me, contributing to my community is a personal mission inspired by my early journey in community service. Advocating for diverse voices and fostering positive change, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of mentorship and engagement.
“Building the next generation holds a special place in this mission, recognising that they are our future leaders. From supporting young entrepreneurs to guiding individuals into higher education, my goal is to uplift and empower, strategically investing in their education, wellbeing, and leadership skills.
“I believe in the ripple effect – strengthening physical and mental wellbeing, fostering family bonds, and inspiring future leaders. My contributions, from sports initiatives to public speaking engagements, aim to create a more connected, resilient society where individuals thrive and collectively shape a positive future.”
Recognise someone you know who supports others with a nomination at citizenshipawards.com.au. You can nominate all year round.
