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Leila Abukar (Somali: Leyla Abukar, Arabic: ليلى أبو بكر) is a Somali-Australian political activist.
Leila Abukar ليلى أبو بكر | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1974 or 1975 (age 49–50) |
| Alma mater | University of Queensland |
| Occupation | political activist |
Abukar was born between 1974 and 1975 in Somalia.[1][2] She attended a private school in Mogadishu.[3]
When the civil war broke out in 1991, her father and eldest brother were killed by militants. Abukar's mother subsequently took the family to a UN asylum center in Kenya. The teenager therein volunteered as an office interpreter, teaching children and raising awareness on reproductive health.[2] In 1997, Abukar moved alone to Australia through a women-at-risk program run by the Australian High Commission.[3] Soroptimist International group workers helped her settle into her new surroundings in Moorooka, Brisbane, with her family later joining her.[2]
For her tertiary education, Abukar earned a bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of Queensland.[2][3] She also holds a post-graduate diploma and master's degree in the discipline.[2] Additionally, she has qualifications in Disability Support and Conflict Resolution.[4]
Abukar is Muslim.[5] She is multilingual, speaking seven languages.[2] A mother of two children, a son (Abdi) and daughter (Diamond),[6] she and her family reside in the Brisbane suburb of Yeerongpilly.[4]
Abukar began her career as an interpreter for the Australian Department of Immigration.[3] She has significant experience as a Community Advocate, working in a broad range of senior management posts with government, council and non-profit organisations.[4]
In addition, Abukar was previously a member of the Queensland Multicultural Roundtable, the Refugees Resettlement Advisory Council, and the Council for Multicultural Australia.[4] She also campaigned against female genital mutilation.[7]
In 2014-2015, Abukar ran for office as the Liberal National Party of Queensland candidate for the Yeerongpilly electoral district. She vied for the seat in a field of four other aspirants.[8] If elected, she would have become the first Somali and Muslim to serve in the Queensland Parliament.[9] Abukar came in second place, earning 31.4% of the total vote in the first round run-off and 36.7% in the final round against the eventual winner Mark Bailey of the Australian Labor Party.[8]
Abukar has received various awards and recognition for her societal work. In 2001, she was presented a Centenary Medal by the Australian government for her contributions to Crisis Counselling, Advocacy and Settlement vis-a-vis the Somali community and other immigrant populations in Queensland.[4][10]
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