Helena Hassani: A Voice for the Voiceless in Australia’s Fight Against Modern Slavery

In the fight to amplify the voices of the unheard, one name stands out as a beacon of awareness, empowerment, and advocacy in Australia: Helena Hassani. An Afghan-Australian trailblazer, Hassani channels her passion and resilience through Boland Parwaz, a foundation dedicated to combating modern slavery, child marriage, and forced marriages among underage girls. Her work has garnered national and global recognition, including her impactful participation at the United Nations’ 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York. In this exclusive interview with REBECCA EJIFOMA at the UN headquarters, Hassani shared how providing opportunities for girls and young women will help them attain their full potential in society, highlighting the challenges and the available resources provided by the Australian government for survivors.

Could you tell us about yourself and how you’ve been leading the advocacy against child marriage and forced marriage?

I’m originally from Afghanistan, but I’m now an Australian citizen. My work in Australia focuses on addressing and combating modern slavery, particularly child and forced marriages. Unfortunately, these practices are still common, especially within some diverse communities, though no one—Australian citizens included—is entirely immune.

When we talk about modern slavery here, child and forced marriages make up the highest number of referrals, disproportionately impacting young girls and women. I see myself as a voice for these young girls and women who often can’t speak out for themselves. Through my foundation, Boland Parwaz—which means “flying high” (in Dari)—I aim to represent them and connect with global networks to tackle this issue collaboratively. The name of my organisation reflects my belief that when we give girls opportunities, they can soar to incredible heights. Women are natural change-makers, and everything begins with empowering our young girls. They are the backbone of society and the leaders of tomorrow.

I also believe that race, religion, or background shouldn’t matter when advocating for the rights of girls worldwide. What’s crucial is ensuring they have the tools and opportunities to succeed. As a young person myself, I hope to inspire other young Australian women by showing them that anything is possible. If opportunities aren’t handed to you, you have to fight for them.

Could you give us more insights into the ages affected and the support system available for those at risk of child marriage?

It’s heartbreaking, but we’ve seen cases here in Australia where girls as young as eight to 11 years old are married culturally or religiously—though not legally because it’s against Australian law. These situations are deeply troubling and highlight the urgency of addressing this issue.

Through my organisation, Boland Parwaz, we focus on advocacy and consultation. We work closely with government and non-governmental organisations to raise awareness about the prevalence of child and forced marriages and their impact on communities. A big part of what I do involves receiving calls from community members seeking help. While we don’t physically intervene or rescue individuals, we link them with organisations that provide tailored support like accommodation, mediation, free legal advice, and other resources designed to address child and forced marriages.

Based on your experience, what do you think drives the practice of child and forced marriage in a place like Australia?

From what I’ve seen, this practice is most common in African and Southeast Asian communities, often driven by pressure from elders, parents, family members, and the communities. But when you dig deeper, the root cause is really gender inequality. It’s a systemic issue. Girls face this because they are not valued or given the same opportunities as boys. There’s this ingrained belief that boys will carry on the family name, so they’re prioritised when it comes to education and other opportunities. Meanwhile, girls are often seen as future wives who will eventually leave the family, so people are less willing to invest in them.

Through my work and research—particularly with the University of Technology Sydney—I’ve spoken to many survivors of child and forced marriages. One thing that stood out to me was the lack of community-based, women-led organisations that are culturally and linguistically equipped to address this issue. That’s why I started my own organisation. I wanted to create a safe space where anyone could come for help without fear or judgment.

Now, through Boland Parwaz, we provide resources and training to mainstream organisations to help them better understand and identify these issues. We also work hard to raise awareness in communities about the problem and its impact. It’s all about creating a support system that not only helps survivors but also works toward prevention by addressing the underlying inequalities driving these practices.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in addressing this issue, and how have you managed to navigate them?

Honestly, there are so many challenges. One of the biggest is funding—I haven’t received any government funding for my work, which makes it difficult to expand the reach of my organisation.

Another challenge is the sheer demand for help. Sometimes, I feel like I need to be two people just to keep up with the number of desperate young girls and women who need support.

Safety is another concern. The work I do is very close to my heart, but it can put one at risk, especially when certain communities become aware of what I’m doing. It’s not always easy to navigate that tension, but I remind myself why I started this journey—to be a voice for those who don’t have one.

There’s also the constant urgency to rescue these women as quickly as possible. It’s a delicate balance between working tirelessly to provide immediate support and trying to address the root causes of the problem. Despite these obstacles, it’s worth every effort when you see lives being impacted.

What are the key takeaways from the UN CSW69 conference that you plan to start implementing?

One of the biggest things I’ve taken away is informed policies and tailoring community-led programmes and support services to the specific needs of communities. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. For example, many girls don’t reach out for help because they’re afraid of involving the police or getting their families in trouble. As a result, so many cases go unreported. That’s something we need to address by creating community-led models that are sensitive to these concerns.

Another takeaway is the value of learning from other countries. This conference has shown me that incredible programmes are being implemented around the world, and we can learn so much from each other. It’s not about duplicating efforts but about adapting successful strategies to fit the unique context of each country or community.

What would you say the Australian government has done to help these girls?

The Australian government has made some significant strides in supporting girls and women who are escaping forced marriages. For instance, there’s emergency accommodation available for those in need, along with free case management services, legal advice, and even access to various visas for those who aren’t Australian citizens. This ensures that victims can receive help regardless of their immigration status.

Last year, the government started a programme called Additional Referral Pathways (ARP), which is a great step forward. It brings together multiple organisations to provide legal advice, accommodation, and financial support under one system. This streamlined approach reduces barriers for young women trying to access services, making it easier and faster for them to get the help they need.

What is your message to girls, women, and men out there?

To the men, my message is simple: give your daughters the same opportunities you would give your sons. Girls are just as important as boys and deserve equal rights. It all starts at home. If parents treat their daughters and sons equally, society will follow suit. The way we’re treated in our families shapes how we view ourselves and how we interact with the world. If girls feel valued and appreciated at home, they’ll carry that confidence into society—and we’ll all benefit from a more equitable and empowered community.

To young girls, my message is one of hope: never lose it. I know leaving a forced marriage is one of the hardest things anyone can do. It comes with immense challenges—being ostracised, disowned by family, or facing overwhelming pressure. But if you can push through those obstacles, there’s a brighter future waiting for you—a life free from violence, where you don’t have to force yourself to survive each day. Instead, every day will bring new opportunities, and you’ll finally have control over your own life.

Believe in yourself. You are stronger than you think, and you can achieve anything. Don’t let society’s limitations define you—that’s not who you are. You are who you choose to be, and who God created you to be. Stay strong, keep believing in yourself, and know that there’s always hope for a better tomorrow.

What inspired you to do this work for girls and women?

My own story has driven me to do this. I overcame a forced marriage myself, and that experience has been a powerful catalyst for my work. Seeing firsthand the challenges and hardships that come with it, I knew I didn’t want other girls to go through the same thing.

You know, bad experiences can shape us in two ways. They can either break us and make us withdraw from the world, or they can inspire us to create something better for ourselves and others. I realised that if I could overcome my own struggles, others could too. That’s why I want to be a role model for young girls—showing them that no matter what they face, they have the strength to rise above it. If I can do it, they can too. It’s all about turning adversity into opportunity and using our stories to empower others.

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