NO one was more amazed and appreciative than Manar Abajabal when she was elected as the first Muslim captain of St James College, one of Queensland’s oldest Catholic schools.
“I was really surprised because I thought I wouldn’t get it because being a Muslim in a Catholic school – but I’m really grateful that I did get it,” the 18-year-old said during an International Women’s Day presentation at the Brisbane inner-city school that dates back to 1868.
Arriving with her family in Australia as refugees just three years ago Ms Abajabal has quickly overcome many challenges in life.
Born in Ethiopia, raised in Saudi Arabia and then spending years as a refugee in Egypt, she now has her sights set on studying hard and becoming a doctor.
“My goal is to graduate from high school and go to uni and study medicine, and hopefully be a gynaecologist – because my dad was a midwife back when he was in his country and studying,” she said.
“I am grateful that I’m here in Australia getting a good education and living a better life than I used to live back in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.”
Her parents live on the Gold Coast, but Ms Abajabal made a decision to commute every day to Brisbane so she could attend St James College, an Edmund Rice Education Australia school that has a long and proud tradition of educating children from poor migrant families alongside children from local families.
Later she moved to Brisbane on her own so she could be near her school.
“That is self-motivation,” St James principal Ann Rebgetz said.
Ms Abajabal said she had the backing of her father, which had eased her pathway as a student and leader.
“And he has always told me and my brother to always value education … he has always taught us that from when we were young,” she said.
International Women’s Day on March 8 is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
This year the theme is #BreakTheBias promoting “a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive”.
Asked to use one word to describe what International Women’s Day meant for her, Ms Abajabal said: “I would say powerful because every woman is strong.”
“International Women’s Day means a day we can raise awareness for women, that we can be the voice for women that are voiceless,” she said.
“It means a really special day for all women, but I think International Women’s Day has to be every day.”
She was joined in an IWD panel discussion by fellow students and a range of women who had succeeded in male-dominated professions including construction and IT.
“We all stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us,” Ms Rebgetz said.
“I’ve been inspired by external figures but also in my own family.”
She said her auntie, a single parent from a young age, became a teacher “which meant that her education gave her an income and was able to support her daughter”.
“I think it’s about gaining education, gaining strength from the people we admire and have as role models, but also the people who mentor us and encourage us,” Ms Rebgetz said.
