Safe and Equal is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Joumanah El-Matrah as our new Chief Executive Officer, commencing in the role on 1 June.
Dr El-Matrah brings more than 30 years of leadership across family violence, gender equality and human rights. She is recognised nationally for advancing systems reform, strengthening specialist services and embedding intersectional, rights-based approaches, aligning strongly with Safe and Equal's role as peak body for Victorian organisations that specialise in family and gender-based violence.
Her previous roles include CEO of the Australian Muslim Women's Centre for Human Rights, where she led transformative national initiatives grounded in intersectional feminist practice.
A trained psychologist with previous frontline experience supporting victim survivors of family, gender-based and sexual violence, Dr El-Matrah also brings deep practice knowledge into policy and advocacy. Her work has shaped culturally responsive, trauma-informed approaches across the sector, particularly with migrant and refugee communities.
Across her career, she has championed culturally responsive, community-led approaches that centre victim survivors and challenge systemic barriers to safety, justice and inclusion.
She joins Safe and Equal at a critical time, with the experience and vision to build on the progress the sector has made towards ending family and gender-based violence.
"Throughout my career, I've seen the difference that strong, specialist services and community-led, lived experience-centred approaches can make in people's lives. I'm excited to join Safe and Equal to support and amplify the work of our members and to help drive the bold, systemic change needed so that all people can live free from family and gender-based violence," Dr El-Matrah said.
About us:
About Safe and Equal:
Safe and Equal is the peak body for Victorian organisations that specialise in family and gender-based violence across the continuum, including primary prevention, early intervention, response and recovery. We are an independent, non-government organisation.
