SIM Alumni

Farhana Parker

Founder and CEO, Social Makeover, Global Shaper at the World Economic Forum

"Advancing the female agenda globally"

Farhana Parker’s qualifications paint a picture of her passion and commitment towards the development of her fellow citizens. Parker is a Bertha scholar and Masters candidate in inclusive innovation at UCT Graduate School of Business where her research explores innovative pathways to scale preventative interventions to address violence against women. She further holds a social work degree and three postgraduates in psychology, social policy and management from the University of Cape Town and a Post-Graduate certificate in Social Innovation Management from the Amani Institute in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

These qualifications have been pivotal in laying the foundation for her to actively tackle issues of inequality and social justice. Parker founded The Social Makeover in 2016, a social enterprise with a special focus on the rights, wellbeing, and advancement of women and girls aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality). Her passion for women’s issues and their empowerment has compelled her to make a difference, as she strongly believes in the important role women play in empowering communities. Leading The Social Makeover and the World Economic Forums Global Shaper Cape Town Hub has been instrumental in fostering an environment where she can effectively pursue and commit to a career of meaning and valuable social impact, serving and affirming the humanity of as many people as she can.

Parker’s work within South Africa’s civil society has seen her serving the most vulnerable communities as a social worker, executive support officer and special projects manager to the minister of social development, leading key projects in the Western Cape.

She was named 1 of 200 in the Mail and Guardian's most influential young South Africans and a recent winner of Inspiring50.

Read some of her articles here:
On Gender Based Violence / WEF on Africa Did Act on Calls for Action
The UN's Sustainable Goals Can Be a Game Changer for South Africa
5 Ways to Boost Female Entrepreneurship in South Africa
A Leader in Africa Can Make or Break a Country