2024 Women to Watch
This year we showcase over 80 South Australian women to watch throughout the year. From business, to careers, arts to science. This year’s selected women highlight the depth and diversity of the women in our state and also the vast array of opportunities to develop a business or career in South Australia. Find our more about our inaugural Women to Watch initiative here.
Anisa Varasteh is a clinical sexologist and the current president of Society of Australian Sexologists (SA/NT). Anisa provides therapy to families, individuals and couples as well as consultancy and training to organisations and companies. Anisa is the author of ‘Raising Sexually Intelligent Kids’.
// Favourite inspirational quote
Like a diamond forged under pressure, she shines brightest when faced with the fiercest storms.
// Let’s get to know you
My name is Anisa Varasteh and I am the director of Relate Sexology and Relate Training Institute and current president of Society of Australian Sexologists. I was born in Iran a few of years after the Islamic revolution. My parents belonged to the Bahai minority religious group. In the aftermath of the revolution, there was widespread persecution against non-Muslims. Some of our family members were imprisoned, tortured, or executed solely due to their religious beliefs. Bahais were deprived of the right to education, which meant I couldn’t attend kindergarten as a young child. However, my parents were determined, refusing to let any barrier obstruct my access to quality education. They established a kindergarten specifically for Bahai children, a risky project that could have led to imprisonment or worse had the authorities discovered it. Despite facing suspension from 13 schools throughout my 12 years of education due to my non-Muslim background being revealed, I eventually graduated from high school.
The next hurdle was accessing higher education. Bahais were also barred from attending universities. But they created an underground university for the community. Attending Uni for me and my classmates was risky and dangerous, as police raids were a constant threat, resulting in multiple arrests of students and lecturers. In 2004, my family and I fled Iran, seeking a better life in Australia.
In 2012, I graduated with a bachelor of Psychology from UniSA. The journey was arduous, requiring extensive study hours to compensate for my limited English proficiency, as well as working full-time as a hotel housekeeper to support myself and my studies. Additionally, lacking the financial means to afford a computer, I solely relied on computers available at the public library until graduation to complete my assignments.
Following graduation, I secured a position as a sexual health counsellor at Relationships Australia, where I discovered my passion for sexology. With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, ending in burnout from my role as the manager of a mental health organisation in 2020, I took the leap to establish my own venture, Relate Sexology. This company offers therapeutic and educational services, empowering individuals to lead more fulfilling lives by addressing issues related to sexual and relational health. Today, I lead a dedicated team of sexologists and counsellors. Additionally, I serve as the president of the Society of Australian Sexologists in SA/NT.
Furthermore, I am the Director of Relate Training Institute, specialising in providing professional training to companies on psychology and sexuality-related matters.
// What makes you a Woman to Watch for 2024?
I lead a team of compassionate and highly skilled professionals dedicated to providing safe, evidence-based therapy to individuals and couples facing challenges related to sexuality and relationships. Our mission is to foster a world where everyone feels safe and empowered to explore and embrace their sexuality, supported by knowledge and understanding. Additionally, we are committed to driving meaningful cultural shifts within companies and businesses to cultivate psychologically safe workplaces. Recently, I authored a book titled “Raising Sexually Intelligent Kids,” which equips parents with the essential skills needed to guide their children toward healthy sexuality in adulthood. Rather than simply focusing on what to tell children about sex, the book focuses on empowering parents to teach foundational skills essential for fostering healthy sexuality.
// What is your goal or intention for the year ahead? And how are you going to achieve it?
This year holds immense significance for us. We are focused on promoting my book “Raising Sexually Intelligent Kids” to empower parents and prevent instances of sexual abuse in children. Additionally, we’ve partnered with a disability organisation to conduct weekly sexual education sessions for individuals with disabilities. This is a crucial area often overlooked and stigmatised, yet sexual health is a fundamental human right. We recognise that lack of education and societal stigma contribute to the vulnerability of people with disabilities to abuse.
Also, we have developed a sexual harassment prevention package targeted towards corporate businesses. We understand that sexual harassment rates are alarmingly high across various industries, and we are committed to making a meaningful impact in this area.
// What would being a Woman to Watch mean to you?
We face significant challenges to market our businesses because of the word ‘sex’ in the content of the marketing. Being a Woman to Watch would mean we could reach a wider audience to empower people such as parents to create a safer world for the next generation.
// What would you like to see for the future of South Australian women and girls?
I envision a future where women and young girls feel safe, confident, and empowered to express themselves freely, without fear of judgment or gender-based stereotypes. I aspire to a world where mothers are rightfully compensated for the invaluable work they do, on par with other members of the workforce in our community.
Get in touch with Anisa:
LinkedIn: Anisa Varasteh
Website: www.relatesexology.com
Check out all of the incredible Women to Watch for 2024 here as their profiles are uploaded throughout the year.
To become an SA Woman Member, check out our Membership Options here.
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