Meet UTS graduate Amani Haydar and learn how she has transformed personal tragedy into powerful advocacy, becoming a leading voice against gender-based violence through her impactful work as a lawyer, writer and artist.
Amani, a lawyer, writer and artist, has made significant contributions to her community through her professional, volunteer, creative and advocacy work.
Despite facing terrible personal trauma, Amani has become a passionate advocate and campaigner for ending violence against women.
Turning tragedy into purpose
In 2015, Amani's life was shattered when her father murdered her mother. Amani was 5 months pregnant, and her mother’s death upended her world. It also sparked her commitment to raising awareness about gender-based violence, law, policy and the effects of structural inequality on women.
“I would like to see greater sensitivity towards victims of crime and a deeper appreciation of the factors that shape the experience of homicide victims and witnesses in the legal process.”
Amani’s advocacy is multifaceted, involving board service at the Bankstown Women’s Health Centre, where she worked with her local MP to lobby for legal changes to support victims of domestic violence. Her efforts include drafting proposals to the NSW Sentencing Council and advocating for changes to parental leave legislation.
“My goal is to provide more holistic responses to people who have trauma as a result of crime victimisation.”
Amani Haydar
Undergraduate student
Art as a form of advocacy
Amani’s artistic talents have also played a crucial role in her advocacy. She has been an artist in residence at Sweatshop, a literary movement devoted to empowering culturally and linguistically diverse communities through reading, writing and critical thinking.
Her work has been featured in publications such as ABC News Online and SBS Voices, and she has contributed to a Walkley Award-winning journalism series.
In 2021, Amani published her memoir, The Mother Wound, with Pan Macmillan. The book examines her experiences and the wider issues of domestic violence and systemic inequality. It received critical acclaim, including winning the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Non-Fiction 2022 and being longlisted for the Walkley Book Award 2021.
Recognising and overcoming challenges
Amani's journey began as a stand-out student at UTS, where she was already committed to making a difference. Her dedication to social justice was affirmed through her studies and personal experiences.
It was her mother's death that prompted her to reassess everything she knew about her parents' relationship and the justice system’s handling of emotional abuse and coercive control.
Amani also had to navigate the trauma of her grandmother’s brutal death in the 2006 war in Lebanon. These layers of intergenerational trauma have influenced her activism and artistic expression.
Recognition of Amani’s achievements includes her being named 2020 Local Woman of the Year for Bankstown and a finalist for the NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year award. Her advocacy was acknowledged with a community recognition statement in NSW Parliament.
She also won a 2021 Sydney Music, Arts & Culture (SMAC) award and the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Non-Fiction 2022. Her memoir, The Mother Wound, is a testament to her strength and dedication in using her experiences to drive systemic change.
Building a legacy of resilience
Amani’s story is one of resilience, advocacy and the transformative power of turning personal pain into a force for social change. Her ongoing work continues to inspire and impact communities, making her an influential figure in the fight against gender-based violence.
Learn more about the Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) Bachelor of Laws.
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