Zoya Patel
Zoya is the Senior Manager of Corporate Relations and Communication at YWCA Canberra. She is also the editor/founder of Feminartsy, and is currently completing a Master of Communications through Griffith University.
@zoyajpatel
All articles
26 April 2017: 2017 She Leads Conference – 5 Quick Questions with Elise Burgess
The 2017 She Leads Conference will be held on Thursday 1 June at QT Canberra, with the She Leads Cocktail and Networking function to be held the night before, on May 31. Tickets and program details are now available at 2017.sheleads.org.au. Open to all, the She Leads Conference brings women from a range of sectors, at all stages of their […]
21 July 2016: She Leads College – 5 quick questions with Hannah Wandel
The She Leads College Conference, taking place on Tuesday 26 July, is a one-day event for girls in Years 11 and 12, equipping participants with the practical skills and knowledge they need to become confident leaders. This year, we have an amazing line-up of inspiring young women who will share their leadership journeys with participants. We’ll be […]
20 July 2016: She Leads College – 5 quick questions with Farz Edraki
The She Leads College Conference, taking place on Tuesday 26 July, is a one-day event for girls in Years 11 and 12, equipping participants with the practical skills and knowledge they need to become confident leaders. This year, we have an amazing line-up of inspiring young women who will share their leadership journeys with participants. We’ll be […]
19 July 2016: She Leads College – 5 quick questions with Rachael Stevens
The She Leads College Conference, taking place on Tuesday 26 July, is a one-day event for girls in Years 11 and 12, equipping participants with the practical skills and knowledge they need to become confident leaders. This year, we have an amazing line-up of inspiring young women who will share their leadership journeys with participants. We’ll be […]
18 July 2016: She Leads College – 5 quick questions with Caitlin Figueiredo
The She Leads College Conference, taking place on Tuesday 26 July, is a one-day event for girls in Years 11 and 12, equipping participants with the practical skills and knowledge they need to become confident leaders. This year, we have an amazing line-up of inspiring young women who will share their leadership journeys with participants. We’ll be […]
14 July 2016: She Leads College – 5 quick questions with Erica Hediger
The She Leads College Conference, taking place on Tuesday 26 July, is a one-day event for girls in Years 11 and 12, equipping participants with the practical skills and knowledge they need to become confident leaders. This year, we have an amazing line-up of inspiring young women who will share their leadership journeys with participants. We’ll be […]
12 July 2016: She Leads College – 5 quick questions with Emma Pocock
The She Leads College Conference, taking place on Tuesday 26 July, is a one-day event for girls in Years 11 and 12, equipping participants with the practical skills and knowledge they need to become confident leaders. This year, we have an amazing line-up of inspiring young women who will share their leadership journeys with participants. We’ll be […]
11 August 2015: Meet a member: Catherine Mahoney
This article is part of our member profile series. Our members tell us that one of the things they really love about being part of our community, is getting to know like-minded women. So, each month, we’ll feature an interview with a member, so you can get to know each other a little better. Today, meet Catherine […]
7 August 2015: Launching Relationship Things Online – building respectful relationships for the next generation!
Tuesday 4 August was an exciting day for YWCA Canberra, as we launched the latest in our suite of primary violence prevention resources, Relationship Things Online. Relationship Things Online is an online respectful relationships resource for young people, that explores topics around respect, communication, gender equality, diversity, safe sex and consent. The resource uses interactive […]
3 August 2015: AV studio gives future filmmakers and musicians a head start at the Clubhouse
It’s hard to believe the YWCA Computer Clubhouse has been open for less than a year – arriving for the launch of our audio-visual production studio on Thursday 30 July, there were so many members in the space, busy working on their projects, that the room was crowded and full of energy! The YWCA Computer […]
20 July 2015: Staff Snapshot: Jill Thomsen
At YWCA Canberra, we’re really proud of the vibrancy and diversity of our staff team. We’ll be bringing you regular Staff Snapshots so you can meet our team and find out a bit more about the people behind our programs and services. Today, meet Jill Thomsen, Housing Support Officer. Can you tell us a bit about […]
2 July 2015: Y-Aspire – connections, confidence and creativity at the Clubhouse
Each year, YWCA Canberra runs Y-Aspire, a leadership program for young women in years 7 and 8 of high school. The program offers a weekly two hour session for groups of up to 12 participants over eight weeks. Topics covered throughout the program include identity, skills and skill building, body confidence, relationships and careers. On […]
24 June 2015: IT guru – Shanna Daly, YWCA Canberra volunteer
At YWCA Canberra, we love our volunteers. These wonderful people give up their time and donate their skills and knowledge to help us to what we do better. Shanna Daly is an IT and Information Security specialist who has been volunteering her expertise to help us make sure our IT systems are secure. Check out […]
15 June 2015: Meet a Member: Abby Thevarajah
This article is part of our member profile series. Our members tell us that one of the things they really love about being part of our community, is getting to know like-minded women. So, each month, we’ll feature an interview with a member, so you can get to know each other a little better. Today, meet Abby […]
1 June 2015: Respect Champion: Nipuni Wijewickrema
As part of YWCA Canberra’s Respect NOW campaign, over the coming weeks we’ll unveil our passionate Respect Champions. These wonderful women are helping us further our advocacy efforts, calling on the ACT Government to prioritise funding for primary prevention and early intervention programs, to end violence against women. To support the Respect NOW campaign, please […]
29 May 2015: Staff Snapshot – Ciara Duggan
At YWCA Canberra, we’re really proud of the vibrancy and diversity of our staff team. We’ll be bringing you regular Staff Snapshots so you can meet our team and find out a bit more about the people behind our programs and services. Today, meet Ciara Duggan, Senior Youth Engagement Officer. Can you tell us a bit about your […]
28 May 2015: Respect Champion – Kate Muir
As part of YWCA Canberra’s Respect NOW campaign, over the coming weeks we’ll unveil our passionate Respect Champions. These wonderful women are helping us further our advocacy efforts, calling on the ACT Government to prioritise funding for primary prevention and early intervention programs, to end violence against women. To support the Respect NOW campaign, please […]
25 May 2015: 2015 She Leads Conference: an inspiring day of women’s leadership
When 250 women come together with some of Australia’s most distinguished women leaders and thinkers for an event exploring women’s leadership, it’s set to be a big, inspiring day. The annual She Leads Conference is a key professional development opportunity for aspiring and established women leaders from all industries and sectors. The objective is to […]
25 May 2015: Meet a Member : Hannah Gissane
This article is part of our member profile series. Our members tell us that one of the things they really love about being part of our community, is getting to know likeminded women. So, each month, we’ll feature an interview with a member, so you can get to know each other a little better. Today, meet Hannah […]
6 May 2015: She Leads College Conference – What does the next generation of leaders look like?
It was not your typical conference – 100 young women from years 11 and 12 filled up the Ann Harding Conference Centre at the University of Canberra on Tuesday 5 May, ready to connect with inspiring young women and discover their leadership potential. The room brimmed with a buzz of anticipation during the morning’s opening […]
6 May 2015: Advocating for our rights : YWCA Canberra at the Commission on the Status of Women
This March, members of YWCA Canberra joined YWCA Australia’s delegation to the 59th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York. Jane Alver, immediate past-President of YWCA Canberra was one of the delegates, and here she shares what she learnt, the highlights and the challenges of this important global forum. How would you describe the […]
19 March 2015: Closing the gap through tackling Indigenous smoking
(Photo: Tom Calma with Zoya Patel, Communications and Advocacy Officer and Shernael Teaurima, Policy and Project Officer). Today is Close the Gap day – a day where we reflect on the inequality in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and make a commitment to closing the gap by 2030 so that all […]
10 February 2015: Meet a Member – Jacqueline Jago
This article is part of our member profile series. Our members tell us that one of the things they really love about being part of our community, is getting to know likeminded women. So, each month, we’ll feature an interview with a member, so you can get to know each other a little better. You in a […]
28 January 2015: Outstanding Educator – Amy Mann, Family Day Care
In 2014, our wonderful Family Day Care Educator, LiXue (Amy) Mann was the recipient of the ACT Education and Care Gala Award for Excellence in Practice and Pedagogy for family day care. Amy has been an educator with YWCA Canberra since 2012, and with Belconnen Community Services prior to that since 2008. Here, she shares […]
9 January 2015: Staff Snapshot – Peter Emojong
At YWCA Canberra, we’re really proud of the vibrancy and diversity of our staff team. We’ll be bringing you regular Staff Snapshots so you can meet our team and find out a bit more about the people behind our programs and services. Today, meet Peter Emojong, Energy and Efficiency Officer. Can you tell us a bit […]
23 December 2014: A phenomenal response to The Frugal Feast
The past several weeks have been amazing – we can not believe the response we’ve had to our Frugal Feast fundraising appeal, and to be honest, we’re still reeling from it! When we were developing the campaign for The Frugal Feast, we were really thinking about what it must be like to weather the festive […]
9 December 2014: Country to Canberra – what young rural women think of gender equality
Great Ydeas grant recipient, Hannah Wandel, launched her Country to Canberra project earlier this year, to great success. Last week, the winners of the Country to Canberra essay competition came to Canberra to meet distinguished women leaders, and take a special tour of Parliament House. We’ll be sharing more details of that exciting event soon, […]
8 December 2014: Staff Snapshot – Vicki Green
At YWCA Canberra, we’re really proud of the vibrancy and diversity of our staff team. We’ll be bringing you regular Staff Snapshots so you can meet our team and find out a bit more about the people behind our programs and services. Today, meet Vicki Green, Administration Officer. Can you tell us a bit about your role […]
24 November 2014: The Frugal Feast – a smorgasbord of activities and awareness raising
We’ve just had the most extraordinary week! Between 17 – 21 November, we learnt self defence, shared sandwich stories, advocated, cooked a feast on a budget, and experienced a wonderful spoken word performance – as part of The Frugal Feast! The Frugal Feast is raising food and financial donations for our Lanyon Food Hub. The […]
18 November 2014: The Frugal Feast – Meet Rosanna Stevens, writer and performer
This month, we’re raising funds for our Lanyon Food Hub through The Frugal Feast – a recipe book, and a week of fundraising activities that will engage the community and provide new and exciting ways for you to get involved and make a difference this festive season. Our week of activities is running from 17 – […]
14 November 2014: The Frugal Feast – creative cooking on a budget with Harriet Walker
This month, we’re raising funds for our Lanyon Food Hub through The Frugal Feast – a recipe book, and a week of fundraising activities that will engage the community and provide new and exciting ways for you to get involved and make a difference this festive season. Our week of activities runs from 17 – […]
12 November 2014: Avid supporters and political aficionados gather for Julia Gillard’s in conversation event in Canberra
The first woman Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, entered the National Portrait Gallery on Monday night to a standing ovation. The applause clamoured in the Gordon Darling Hall, with more than 300 guests excitedly waiting to hear first-hand about Ms Gillard’s experiences as Prime Minister, as detailed in her memoir, My Story. The event […]
12 November 2014: The Frugal Feast – Meet Mitch from Dark Carnival
This month, we’re raising funds for our Lanyon Food Hub through The Frugal Feast – a recipe book, and a week of fundraising activities that will engage the community and provide new and exciting ways for you to get involved and make a difference this festive season. Our week of activities runs from 17 – […]
2 October 2014: Staff Snapshot: Erin-Claire Barrow
At YWCA Canberra, we’re really proud of the vibrancy and diversity of our staff team. We’ll be bringing you regular Staff Snapshots so you can meet our team and find out a bit more about the people behind our programs and services. Today, meet Erin-Claire Barrow, Youth Engagement Officer. Can you tell us a bit about […]
11 September 2014: Celebrating our new brand
On Monday 8 September, YWCA Canberra members, Board Directors, staff and friends gathered at the Canberra Museum and Gallery to celebrate the launch of our new brand. YWCA Canberra has been a leading women’s organisation for 85 years, and has provided numerous integral services to the Canberra community in that time. Our new brand builds […]
5 September 2014: YWCA Canberra wins award for Youth Literacy program
YWCA Canberra’s Youth Literacy program was recognised for its success in outcomes, and impact on the community with a 2014 Community Sector Partnership award from ACTCOSS. The Lanyon Youth Literacy Program has run for three successful years. The original project was a pilot program run in 2012 in partnership with YWCA Canberra’s Mura Lanyon Youth […]
4 September 2014: Why we need to support young migrant women to become leaders
We asked a number of leading women who are speaking at the upcoming She Leads conference what advice they would give to aspiring women leaders. Below, Zoya Patel shares insights into her conversation with equality advocate, Khadija Glba. Khadija Gbla does not think she was born a leader. Rather, it was an accidental journey that […]
4 September 2014: She Leads Conference: A day of learning, collaborating, and leading
On Tuesday 13 May more than 170 women converged on Hotel Realm for the inaugural She Leads Conference. The Conference complemented the YWCA of Canberra’s She Leads Diploma of Management program, and pulled together a diverse and inspiring line-up of women leaders from numerous industries to empower and motivate delegates. The morning kicked off with […]
4 September 2014: Why the face of the AIDS pandemic is now female
This article was first published on Women’s Agenda on July 24, 2014. On Monday, the first official day of the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014) in Melbourne, Dr Lydia Mungherera from Uganda said, ‘I think the face of the pandemic is a female face.’ Increasingly, this is becoming more evident. Rates of HIV are growing […]
4 September 2014: AIDS 2014 – Perspectives from a World YWCA delegate
From 19 to 27 July, the 20th International AIDS Conference took place in Melbourne. The peak event for HIV/AIDS researchers, community health workers, activists and people living with HIV, the Conference drew 15,000 delegates to the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, for a packed week of panels, plenaries, workshops, exhibitions and cultural events. I was fortunate enough […]
4 September 2014: Staff Snapshot – Leani Viljoen
At YWCA Canberra, we’re really proud of the vibrancy and diversity of our staff team. We’ll be bringing you regular Staff Snapshots so you can meet our team and find out a bit more about the people behind our programs and services. First up, meet Leani Viljoen, our Manager of People and Capability! Can you […]
4 September 2014: A new chapter in our Reconciliation journey
We are really excited to have launched our third Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) on Wednesday 13 August 2014, at our Lanyon Youth and Community Centre. A RAP is a tool designed by Reconciliation Australia to help organisations build positive relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the wider Australian community. Our RAP formalises […]