Sydney Bangla Women's Network

15/06/2026

14/06/2026

Empowering Community: Leadership Training & Workshop

🌟 Purpose: Empower the Community. Lead with Heart. Inspire with Confidence. 🌟

Today, the Sydney Bangla Women’s Network (SBWN), in partnership with the Community Migrant Resource Centre (CMRC), hosted an exclusive Leadership Training and Workshop for our dedicated members and volunteers.

The day was filled with inspiration, self development and meaningful connections and was divided into two powerful parts.

🎙️ Part 1: The Panel Discussion

We brought together three remarkable leaders, each offering unique and valuable perspectives, in a session expertly moderated by Huma Wallace Tasnim.

A special thank you to our distinguished panellists:

Nicki Gammell is a celebrated journalist across television, radio and print media and a novelist exploring identity and women’s voices.

Aurelia Rahman is Head of Community Engagement and Relations and a dedicated advocate for connecting and supporting multicultural communities.

Dr Nahid Sayma is recognised for her professional expertise and committed leadership in guiding, supporting and empowering women within the Bangladeshi community.

The session sparked engaging discussions and interactive question and answer opportunities on leadership within the Australian context, motivating our community, and navigating the rewarding yet complex journey of serving our seniors, sisters and mothers.

👉Key Takeaway

To grow as a network, we must lead with integrity, empathy and respect. We also highlighted the importance of self care, ensuring our own cups are full so that we can continue supporting others effectively.

Key Focus Areas Included:

✨ Vision and Empowerment:
Aligning our goals to uplift and support others.

💪 Resilience and Passion:
Managing challenges while maintaining positive energy and commitment.

🔒 Boundaries and Privacy:
Understanding limitations and respecting confidentiality.

🤝 Empathy and Emotional Intelligence:
Communicating with understanding, compassion and respect.

📝 Part 2: Hands On Workshop

The second half of the day transitioned into an interactive and practical workshop led by SBWN General Secretary Nigar Afroza (Lisa) and Treasurer Farhana Rahman (Jessi).

Members and volunteers actively participated in activities, reflections and discussions focused on leadership qualities, resilience, self awareness, empathy and privacy in community work.

Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed and invested in their personal growth and development today.

Together, we are building a stronger, more confident and deeply connected community.

10/06/2026

Sometimes the best therapy isn’t in a clinic. It’s laughter on a bus, children making new friends, parents sharing a meal and knowing you’re not alone.

SBWN is planning a Bus Ride & Picnic Day for children with additional needs and their families.

After a difficult time for our community, we wanted to create a space for families to come together, enjoy a day out and connect with others who understand the journey.

The day will include:

•Fun, friendship and new connections for our children.

•A chance for parents to meet, chat and build a supportive community.

•Father-to-father connection and shared experiences.

•Opportunities for SBWN to better understand and support families’ needs.

•Professional support workers or carers may be arranged based on interest and need.

As the saying goes “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller

If this sounds like something your family would enjoy, we’d love to hear from you. 💙

06/06/2026

Thank you সিডনি প্রতিদিন।

06/06/2026

It was an absolute honour to attend an exclusive, purposeful discussion last night with Asif Saleh, CEO of BRAC —World's largest NGO and Global development organization from Bangladesh.

​Hosted by B/deshi with the support of Nova Audit Group and ImpactX at Work Club Global in Sydney, this intimate gathering brought together diaspora executives and community leaders for an insightful evening of real substance.

​Key highlights from the evening:

​Post-Election Evolution: An insightful update from Asif Saleh on how Bangladesh is navigating its current landscape.
​Emerging Opportunities: Deep dives into upcoming prospects across development, investment, and systemic reform.

The practical , meaningful pathways for diaspor leaders to get involved and drive impactful changes.

​Dr. Nahid Sayma, President of SBWN, and Huma Wallace Tasnim ,SBWN member discussed how Sydney's highly capable and high-potential Bangladeshi women can actively collaborate with BRAC’s future creative initiatives in Australia while staying deeply connected to Bangladesh.

​A huge thank you to the hosts and to Asif Saleh for sharing his time and vision with the Sydney community! 🇧🇩✨

​ /deshi inAustralia

30/05/2026

National Volunteers Week 19-25th May 2025

As we celebrate National Volunteers Week, we extend our deepest gratitude to the incredible volunteers of SBWN.

Your dedication, generosity, and unwavering support make a meaningful impact on our community and the work we do every day.

Thank you for sharing your time, talents, and passion.
Your contributions help foster connection, growth, and empowerment among our members and beyond.

We are proud to have such committed individuals as part of our network.

Happy National Volunteers Week – we celebrate you today and every day!

26/05/2026

Eid Mubarak From SBWN family

24/05/2026

Advocacy in Action! 🇧🇩🇦🇺

SBWN’s President, Dr Nahid Sayma, and General Secretary, Nigar Afroza, met with the Community Liaison Officer from the Department of Home Affairs to advocate for the growing needs of our Bangladeshi community.

We had a wonderful and heartfelt discussion and formally submitted a comprehensive report for the Minister’s attention, focusing on three key areas:

Our Seniors: We strongly advocated for government-funded transport and a dedicated meeting space to help our elders overcome isolation and language barriers.

Special Needs Families: Ensuring they receive the accessible resources and mental health and wellbeing support they truly deserve.

New Migrants: Advocating for vital mental health and wellbeing support while working to break down language barriers and social stigma.

We walked out of the meeting feeling incredibly hopeful!

This is a massive step forward in securing the long-term structural support our community deserves, and we are so excited to continue driving this positive change.

20/05/2026

🌐 Global Accessibility Awareness Day | 21 May

Every child deserves a world that welcomes them fully, warmly, and without barriers.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is observed every third Thursday of May. It is a day dedicated to fostering digital access and inclusion for the over one billion people worldwide living with disabilities ensuring that websites, apps, and digital tools are built for everyone.

For many families in our community, raising a child with special needs brings both profound love and unique challenges. One of those challenges is simply finding digital spaces websites, apps, learning tools that are built with their child in mind.

When we make digital spaces more accessible through captions, clear navigation, and thoughtful design we open up a world of learning and connection for children with vision, hearing, cognitive, or motor impairments.

At SBWN, we hold space for every mother and caregiver on this journey. Your love for your child is quietly changing the world around you.

If you are navigating this path, know that our community is here to listen, to support, and to walk alongside you.

19/05/2026

The heartbreaking tragedy in Campbelltown has shaken many of us deeply. A mother and two innocent children lost their lives, leaving an entire community saddened and searching for answers.

If you are struggling emotionally, mentally, financially, or within your relationship or family life , please talk to someone. A friend. A family member. A community leader. A counsellor. A support service.

And if someone around you seems withdrawn, overwhelmed, frightened, or isolated, check on them gently. Sometimes a simple conversation can become a lifeline.

Remember asking for help is not weakness.
Speaking up is not shameful.
Reaching out can save lives.

Some pain stays hidden behind closed doors. Some struggles remain unspoken until it becomes too late.

Let us build a community where people feel safe to ask for help before silence turns into tragedy.

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call 000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.

For information on Men’s Behaviour Change Programs operating in your local area, contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491

You can also contact us on 0425361858
https://sbwn.org.au/