Khadija Gbla is a very passionate and inspiring African Australian woman. She is an award winning human rights activist, inspirational speaker, facilitator and consultant. She has displayed great courage and determination in achieving her aspirations of giving women, youth and minority groups a voice at a local, state and international level. Khadija utilises her powerful and inspired voice to advocate equality.
Khadija provides advocacy, training, speaking on domestic and family violence, racism, human rights, refugees and cultural diversity through her cultural consultancy. She is the survivor advocate protecting Australian girls from FGM and supporting survivors of FGM. She has represented Australia in the international arena at the Harvard National Model United Nations, Commonwealth Youth Forum and Australian and Africa Dialogue, Commonwealth heads of States Women’s Forum etc. She has displayed great courage and determination in achieving her aspirations of giving women, youth and minority groups a voice at a local, state and international level.
Current work
She is an Ambassador for Our Watch, an organisation established to change attitudes of violence towards women and their children, and member of Harmony Alliance -Migrant and Refugee Women for Change aims to provide a national inclusive and informed voice on the multiplicity of issues impacting the experiences and outcomes of migrant and refugee women in Australia.
She is the co-director of Desert Flower Australia a not-for profit, aimed at providing reconstructive surgery for women affected by Female Gentital Mutilation in the Australia and Asia-Pacific Regions.
Previous experience
Awards: Khadija has been recognized through numerous awards for her vision and leadership, including 2017 cosmopolitan magazine women of the year finalist, 2016 women's Weekly and Qantas Women of the Future finalist, 2016 AusMumpreneur Rising Star and Making a difference -non-profit Award, 2014 The Advertiser South Australia’s 50 most Influential Women, 2013 Madison Magazine Australia's top 100 inspiring Women, 2013 Amnesty International Human Rights Activists to watch out in 2013, 2011 State, Finalist Young Australian of the Year just to name a few.
2019 Instyle Magazine Women of Style The Advocate for Acceptance Award
2016 Women's Weekly Qantas Women of the Future Award Finalist
2016 Cosmopolitan Magazine Humanitarian of the Year Award Finalist
2016 AusMumpreneur Rising Star Award Finalist
2014 The Advertiser South Australia 50 Most Influential Women
2013 Madison Magazine Australia's Top 100 Inspiring Women
Talking Points
Women's Issues
Women's Issues
Making a Change
Making a Change
Leadership
Leadership
Management
Management
Overcoming Barriers: Disability, Racism, Sexism, and Ageism
Overcoming Barriers: Disability, Racism, Sexism, and Ageism
Advocacy
Advocacy
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism
The Battle Against Depression
The Battle Against Depression
Video
Born a girl in the wrong place | Khadija Gbla | TEDxCanberra
This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Khadija Gbla grew up in Sierra Leone. As a young girl, she was subjected to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). As a woman, she lives with the consequences of FGM everyday. She is determined that this form of abuse against young girls will end, and she wants to end it in her lifetime. Khadija Gbla was born in Sierra Leone. Her family sought refuge in Australia in 2001 after enduring a thirteen-year civil war within her homeland. Khadija strives to combine her African and Australian heritage and values in order to advocate acceptance and equality within the community. Khadija’s passion for her community and for giving young people a voice in our community continues to motivate her involvement in diverse community projects. Khadija has represented Australia in the international arena at the Harvard National Model United Nations, Commonwealth Youth Forum and Australian and Africa Dialogue.Australia Awards for Africa Students and African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific Members enjoyed a lively presentation from Khadija Gbla at the inaugural welcome event for ... keep reading AFSAAP
Khadija Gbla truly is an inspirational speaker. Her high energy and passion is obvious from the moment she walks into a room, and when she starts talking it is captivating! Her troubled past has given her the strength and determination to make a mark in society and I wish her the best of luck for her future plans with Chocolate Magazine.
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your presentation at the Volunteering SA&NT's International Women's Day Networking Event a couple of weeks ago. You are an inspiration to everyone, always speaking from the heart with such passion and enthusiasm. The audience is always captivated by what you have to say and I am sure you have encouraged many young people from all cultures to volunteer.
Khadija spoke for a group of 25 young women at the SHE Leads Forum in March 2012. Khadija has a vibrant way of telling her life story and applying it to the context of the event. She talked about how she finds her strength to face challenges, with the voice of her Mum in her mind saying 'Khadija, you have dodged bullets, you can face life's other challenges'. This has inspired me to develop my own mantra when things get hard. She is also a strong advocate for community volunteerism and demonstrates how you get more out of it than you put in. I would recommend Khadija as a speaker to your event around women in leadership and community volunteerism.
Khadija was the guest of honour at our 2011 Annual Speech Day and Awards Ceremony and gave the Occasional Address. In an extremely confident manner she engaged the diverse audience who were captivated by her 'story', openness, warmth and genuine enthusiasm. She spoke of her life, the challenges, the opportunities and the willingness and belief in the need to assist others. Khadija was truly inspirational and is a remarkable person and outstanding role model for the global community. Our school is richer for knowing Khadija Gbla.
