Sahara Sisters Collective

♡ Sahara (سہارا) means support and here it is a form of reliance.
♡ Together we are stronger, divided we are vulnerable to the system.
♡ The word “sister” is not to exclude but to create a sense of togetherness. People from all backgrounds are welcome to join and support us (you don’t have to be South Asian for that).

♡ The word collective herein represents a togetherness spirit.

Our ethics and philosophy are about creating a free-flowing easy space without obligations and burden.

We are already surrounded by systems, structures, family responsibilities and schedules that demand time and labour.

The collective understands that, and we want you to be a part of this however you want. Even if you want to share 5 minutes a year with us or 0 minutes and just be a listener in this space; you are welcome here. Without burden, without obligations.

Soon I will be sharing a page where and how I self-fund the collective for transparency (please give me a few days because I have the Zoom paid receipts in different folders of my inbox, which still requires responding to…)

Warmly and with care,

Huda

About Us

Who am I? Why I created Sahara Sisters Collective?

Hi, I’m Huda. I’m a multi-disciplinary researcher, educator and writer with a PhD. I know what it’s like to be isolated, excluded in spaces or to be used as a token for diversity. Navigating research and academia as an “international” can be tricky; especially when relying on limited income. I was sick of being exploited by the system and getting scraps.

Our vision:

By strengthening our connections, we collectively grow in a world that is tough to keep up with. This growth can be communal, academic, professional, social, familial and even personal. By standing together and supporting each other’s contributions and voices in a system that is tiring, we grow stronger. By opening the door for even one person, we make it possible to disrupt this extractive system in small ways. Let’s bring our thoughts, minds, research, social commitments and supportive spirits together.
We have wonderful sisters and humans from South Asia, Australia, Europe and the US joining us. Our collective is currently comprised of researchers, medical practitioners, educators, social change makers and creatives.

A space for us to unlearn, connect, collaborate, co-create and grow.
For all genders, identities, backgrounds and fields.

Members and/or Mentors

Members & Mentors

Rameeza Rizvi

I hold a Master’s degree in Critical Gender Studies from Central European University, Vienna. My research focuses on sexual consent and the politics of intimacy in Lahore, Pakistan, with a particular interest in how socio-cultural norms, legal silences, and emotional labor shape everyday negotiations of consent.

Kinza Jamal Autistic Queer Pasmanda Muslim

I am an Autistic Queer Pasmanda Muslim Minority and an intersectional feminist, who works as a SRHR-J practitioner, decolonial & liberation writer, painter; encouraging & ensuring a young, feminist, and rights-based approach.

Dr Ragini Mohite

Dr Ragini Mohite (She/Her) is Assistant Professor of Literary and Cultural Studies at FLAME University, India. She received her PhD from the University of Leeds in 2016.

Dr. Aisha Memon

Dr. Aisha Memon is a medical doctor, youth advocate, and founder of Conversation for Change (CFC), a grassroots initiative advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in rural Pakistan.

Dorothy Ngaihlian

Dorothy Ngaihlian is a philosophy researcher exploring consciousness and Artificial Intelligence, with a focus on how intelligent systems challenge our understanding of mind, identity, and embodiment.

Noor ul Sabah

Noor ul Sabah is a researcher and gender justice advocate with an MSc in Gender Studies from Lund University.

Sabin Agha

Sabin Agha is a storyteller of untold truths—an award-winning documentary film director known for spotlighting women-led resilience and change in her films, a bilingual multi-platform journalist weaving narratives across platforms and continents.

Dr Nida Ahmad

Dr Nida Ahmad (she/her) is an independent researcher and sports for development consultant. Her research focuses on sport and gender and sport and media.

Empowering humans in academia, research and beyond.

It all started with Support, Solidarity, Sisterhood and it grew into a community with people from all parts of the world with different gender identities and backgrounds with the vision to connect, collaborate and co-create. Your support is welcome here.

Sahara Sisters Collective (SSC) is currently registered under the ABN 66 397 716 251 under the entity of individual/sole trader, a practical structure that allows the collective space to operate flexibly in its early growth stage. Under this registration, SSC functions in its own intangible philosophy wherein the individual supports ideas and activities in the spirit of community and togetherness. This allows SSC to build alliances, engage members (at this stage being those with a spirit of togetherness and not a legal structure) and test initiatives without the administrative burden of incorporation. As the collective expands and secures sustainable funding, the intention is to transition into an incorporated entity.

The word collective herein represents a togetherness spirit.

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