Shafa is a youth advocate and campaigner, interested in policy reform and representation for underrepresented communities. As a Trustee of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP), Shafa has been at the forefront of pressing issues, including gender-based violence and disability rights.

Recently, she addressed the Scottish Government’s Executive Team, calling for a more intersectional approach to the Equally Safe Strategy, urging for the inclusion of women of colour and women with disabilities. Her contributions have sparked important conversations about diversity and representation in policy-making.

In her role with the Scottish Government’s policy team, Shafa co-led two workshops on improving the National Transitions for Disabled Young People, gathering insights from youth across Scotland on how to better support the transition to adulthood for young people with disabilities. At the SYP79 Sitting in Orkney, Shafa introduced a successful Motion to ensure public buildings claiming accessibility provide accurate, publicly accessible information, gaining overwhelming support with a 96% vote.

Beyond her work with SYP, Shafa is a member of UNICEF UK’s Youth Advisory Board, where she influences UNICEF’s efforts on children’s rights. Her advocacy includes facilitating youth workshops during Soccer Aid and engaging directly with political leaders to highlight gaps in party manifestos related to children’s rights. Additionally, she had been actively involved in North Lanarkshire’s UNCRC delivery group, where she continues to ensure that children’s voices are heard and their rights are realized.

At just 17, Shafa has already established herself as a passionate and influential voice for young people, particularly those with disabilities. Her work across the third sector, including her campaigns for accessible facilities in her local community of North Lanarkshire and her youth summits in Cumbernauld prove her commitment to ensuring every young persons voices are actively heard.