Refugee Week: Hon. Ayor Makur Chuot MLC - Member of the Legislative Council WA

For Refugee Week 2025, Women in Global Health – Australia is proud to launch a special profiling series highlighting the voices and leadership of refugee women. Through the stories of two remarkable women driving change in gender and health, we celebrate resilience, advocacy, and impact.

Committee member Prof Jaya Dantas interviewed the Hon. Ayor Makur Chuot MLC as she takes us on an amazing journey from Kakuma Refugee camp, Kenya to International Model to Member of the Legislative Council WA, the first African-Australian woman elected to the Parliament of Western Australia.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born in a refugee camp in Ethiopia and spent my early childhood in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya after my father was killed during the war for South Sudan’s independence. Though marked by displacement, those years were rich in culture, community, and resilience. I carried these values with me when I arrived in Australia as a teenager with my mother and siblings, seeking a new beginning. As a young woman navigating a new culture, language, and education system, I faced significant barriers. I had very little formal education before coming to Australia, and I was balancing the responsibility of raising my first child while learning English and completing my studies. I was a teen mom, and I got pregnant when I was only 16. If I were brought up in a society where we are told how we can protect ourselves as girls, I think my situation would have been different. I had only been in Australia for two years when I got pregnant, and I left school in year 11.  My mother brought us to Australia for education and better opportunities as a reason. Despite these challenges, I pursued my education, earned a diploma in business management, and began a degree in accounting. I worked in a variety of roles—from patient care assistant to interpreter, international model, small business owner, and eventually an accountant.

What is your role now and what was your journey to work in the intersection of gender and health?

I am a Member of the Western Australian Legislative Council, representing the residents of Western Australia. I am also proud to be the first South Sudanese Australian elected to any Australian Parliament, and the first African Australian woman to sit in the WA Parliament. My lived experiences deepened my understanding of how gender, education, and health intersect, especially for women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. My work has always centred on helping young people, particularly women, overcome systemic barriers to access opportunities in education, employment, and healthcare. These issues are deeply personal to me, and they now shape my advocacy in Parliament.

What is the favourite thing about what you do?

My favourite part of my work is mentoring young people, particularly those from migrant and refugee backgrounds. I find deep fulfilment in helping them build the confidence and find the opportunities they need to pursue their goals, whether in politics, education, business, or any other field. It’s a privilege to be someone that young people can look up to and relate to, especially those who haven’t traditionally seen themselves reflected in positions of leadership. Being able to say, “I’ve been where you are, and you can go further,” is incredibly powerful. I strive to be the role model I didn’t have growing up, and every time a young person tells me that my story gives them hope, it reminds me why I do what I do.

Could you tell us a little bit about the challenges you faced that brought you on this journey and how you overcame them?

My career has been shaped by challenges that many people from diverse and marginalised communities will recognise—racism, cultural misunderstandings, and the frustrating cycle of trying to gain employment without "local experience," despite having qualifications. As a new migrant, I found that even with the right education, I struggled to get a job in my field. I remember the challenge of trying to break into the accounting profession, having completed my studies, but unable to gain experience. This issue is even more pronounced for women with overseas qualifications, many of whom are unable to work in their trained healthcare fields due to systemic barriers. As a woman of colour, you are frequently undermined. While I may have an accent compared to those born here, I am confident in my level of capability, work ethic. I overcame these hurdles through perseverance, community support, and by staying grounded in my identity and values. I refused to let setbacks define my future. I started small businesses, volunteered, and accepted opportunities that eventually built up my professional experience. I leaned on mentors—especially strong women like Janine Freeman, who inspired me to believe that my lived experience was not a weakness, but a strength. 

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What gaps do you see in regards to your work in gender and women in health broadly?

There are significant gaps when it comes to gender equity in healthcare, especially for women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Representation is lacking at leadership levels, and many services are not culturally tailored, which limits access and effectiveness for women who need support the most. A critical gap I see is the underutilisation of highly skilled migrant women whose qualifications, particularly in healthcare, aren’t recognised in Australia. These women bring immense value, yet systemic barriers prevent them from contributing to a sector already struggling with workforce shortages. The result is a tragic loss of potential for the women themselves and the communities they could be serving. As someone who has experienced these barriers firsthand, I advocate for reforms that value lived experience and international credentials. Ensuring better pathways for qualified migrant women into the health workforce is not just an issue of fairness—it’s a necessity for a truly inclusive healthcare system.

What do you believe are the most pressing issues for women globally right now?

Globally, women continue to face systemic barriers to equality. The most pressing issues include unequal access to education, quality healthcare, and leadership opportunities. Violence against women—both physical and structural—remains a global crisis. For women in marginalised communities, these challenges are compounded by racism, cultural bias, and exclusion from policymaking. We must prioritise investment in programs that address intersectionality and ensure women of all backgrounds have the tools and support to lead safe, healthy, and empowered lives.