Khadija
Gbla

Khadija Gbla is passionate African Australian woman who is an award-winning human rights activist and inspirational speaker with 16+ years’ experience. Khadija aspires to give a voice to women, youth, and minority groups at a local, state, and international level. Utilising her powerful voice as a policy informant, and advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion. Khadija is best known for her TEDX talk that gained close to 2 Million views, “My mother’s strange definition of empowerment”. Ultimately seeking to inspire others to accept their differences and become agents of change in their communities. She ultimately uses her cross-cultural heritage and refugee status to promote greater understanding among the audiences she speaks to. Khadija now provides advocacy, training and speaking on topics such as domestic and family violence, sexual health, racism, human rights, mental health, refugees, and cultural diversity, through her cultural consultancy 'khadija Gbla Cultural Consultancy'. As the Executive Director of 'No FGM Australia', she advocates for protection and support for women and girls living with or at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) – as a survivor of this herself. Khadija is also the Co-founder of The Desert Flower Centre Australia – of which specialises in providing holistic, comprehensive gynaecological, urological reconstructive surgery and trauma informed care for women impacted by female genital mutilation. Not only has she 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. Khadija has been recognized through numerous awards for her vision and leadership, including 2019 Instyle Magazine The Advocate for Acceptance Human Rights Award, 2017 cosmopolitan magazine women of the year finalist, 2016 women's Weekly and Qantas Women of the Future finalist, 2016 Aus Mumpreneur 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.