Community
Grounded in community. Shaped by experience.
Rasha is a trusted community leader whose diverse heritage and lived experiences have given her a genuine understanding of the value and strength of multicultural communities — and a deep commitment to supporting them.
A Life in Service
Rasha's community work is not separate from her professional life — it is inseparable from it. Her perspectives and values have been shaped by lived experience: as a Palestinian woman, as a Muslim who grew up in a Catholic school, and as a leader who has worked directly with some of Australia's most vulnerable communities.
Her work over recent years supporting refugees arriving in Australia has deepened her appreciation of the challenges and opportunities facing multicultural communities. Through engagement with a large number of multicultural service providers, community organisations, and government, she has developed a nuanced understanding of how to navigate the competing and complex needs of our society.
Rasha is particularly committed to supporting women and young people — through mentoring, leadership development, and creating the conditions for their voices to be heard.
Perspectives & Experience
Informed by lived experience.
Multicultural Women
As a woman of Middle Eastern background, Rasha has a deep understanding of the challenges multicultural women face — and the opportunities to strengthen and amplify their voices. Her time as CEO of inTouch, supporting refugee and migrant women facing family violence, gave her direct insight into the systemic barriers and the resilience that defines these communities.
Interfaith Understanding
Growing up Muslim in a Catholic school gave Rasha a formative appreciation of different faiths and inclusive religious perspectives. This lived experience shapes her ability to bridge communities, build trust across difference, and advocate for genuinely inclusive spaces.
Youth & Leadership
Through the delivery of leadership programs, mentoring initiatives, and retreats for multicultural, Palestinian, and African youth, Rasha has developed deep insights into how to create space for young people — and how to design frameworks and messaging that engage them positively and build lasting capability.
Refugee & Migrant Communities
Rasha's work supporting refugees arriving in Australia has given her a deeper appreciation of the challenges and opportunities facing multicultural communities. She brings both strategic perspective and personal connection to this work.
Strong communities are built when every voice is heard, every story is valued, and every person has the opportunity to lead.
Rasha Abbas
Areas of Involvement
Where Rasha contributes.
Rasha's community involvement spans direct service, leadership development, board advisory, and advocacy — always with a focus on building lasting capability and creating genuine opportunity.
- 01Mentoring women in leadership
- 02Youth leadership programs and retreats
- 03Supporting refugee and migrant communities
- 04Family violence prevention and response
- 05Multicultural community capacity-building
- 06Interfaith and cross-cultural dialogue
- 07Not-for-profit board advisory
- 08Government and community sector engagement
Recognition
Awards & recognition.
Winner
Refugee Leadership Award
Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence, 2024
Finalist
Professional of the Year
Australian Muslim Achievements Awards, 2025
Spotlight
inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence
CEO, 2023 — 2025
As CEO of inTouch — Australia's leading specialist family violence provider for migrant and refugee women — Rasha led an organisation delivering person-centred, integrated, and culturally responsive services across the full family violence continuum.
This included case management, men's behavioural change programs, a fully accredited community legal centre, specialised migration assistance, recovery and healing programs, training, and community capacity-building. The role deepened Rasha's understanding of the intersection between cultural identity, safety, and systemic change — and reinforced her commitment to amplifying the voices of those most marginalised.
Spotlight
Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)
Founder & Chair, Dec 2023 — Current
Rasha founded PARA as an apolitical and areligious charity focused on supporting Palestinian refugees in Australia. Since its establishment, PARA has quickly become the leading organisation engaged by the government, key ministers, service providers, and the community.
PARA provides culturally tailored settlement support to help refugees achieve their full potential and contribute positively to society. Its work goes beyond relief — enabling the highly skilled Palestinians arriving in Australia to access universities, have their qualifications accredited, and enter employment. PARA supports 1,600 refugees with a national network of volunteers.
Connect
Work together on what matters.
If you're working on something that aligns with Rasha's community commitments — whether it's a mentoring program, a community initiative, or a not-for-profit leadership challenge — get in touch.
Get in Touch