Noor Azizah, a Rohingya refugee, has overcome immense challenges in her life to become a dedicated advocate and educator. At the age of 8, she and her family resettled in Sydney in 2003, having fled the genocide of Rohingya people in Myanmar's Rakhine state. Noor's early life was marked by homelessness, statelessness, and a sense of hopelessness.

 

Throughout her journey, Noor and her family faced perilous conditions, navigating thick jungles, evading danger, and enduring hunger. Despite these hardships, Noor has emerged as a strong voice for Rohingya women, who have experienced unimaginable atrocities such as systematic rape, torture, and the loss of loved ones. Their plight remains a constant motivation for her work.

 

Noor Azizah is the co - founder and director of the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network which is a women-led, Rohingya-led and refugee-led organisation working on Rohingya human rights issues, SGBV, education and translocal solidarity with a focus on women, peace and security. 

 

Noor's educational achievements include a Bachelor of Education with a specialisation in Primary and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from the University of Sydney, as well as a Master of Peace and Conflict Studies. Her dedication and passion have been recognised, as she was named one of YAIA's Young Women to Watch in International Affairs in 2022, One Young World Ambassador 2023 and selected as an Australian delegate for the Young Pacific Leaders Conference in 2023.

 

As a refugee delegate at the United Nations in Geneva, Noor has actively advocated for Rohingya women, speaking at The Global Refugee Forum in 2019. She has also been appointed as a refugee expert for the 2023 Global Refugee Forum, where her expertise will play a significant role in discussions focusing on pledges related to Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Education, and Statelessness. She also contributes to various organisations and initiatives, including the Gender Audit Team (UNSW & UNHCR), the ATCR Refugee Steering Group (Annual Tripartite Consultation on Resettlement UNHCR) and the U.S. Consulate General's Sydney Youth Advisory Council. 

 

Currently, she works as an English as a Second Dialect Specialist teacher in Sydney, leveraging her skills to empower students from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, she serves as a Rohingya refugee consultant on various boards, including Asia Justice & Rights and the aforementioned organizations.

 

Outside of her work, Noor indulges in her love for languages, traveling, exploring different cultures, and embarking on waterfall adventures.

 

Noor Azizah's inspiring journey and her tireless dedication to advocating for refugee rights, particularly for Rohingya women, serve as a testament to her resilience, compassion, and commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable world.