Hawwa Zahira is an education professional specialising in special and inclusive education. She holds a Master of Special Education and Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education from the University of Waikato, New Zealand, a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Macquarie University, Australia, and a Diploma in Educational Studies from the University of Leeds, UK. She has contributed significantly to teacher education through the development and delivery of Early Childhood, Primary, and Secondary programmes. Her professional experience includes research and programme development with UNICEF Maldives and services as a member of the Disability Council. Her work focuses on inclusive education, teacher education, disability rights, and educational opportunities.

Master of Special Education, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 2005
Bachelor of Arts in Education, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, 1995
Diploma in Educational Studies, University of Leeds, United Kingdom, 1988
Certificate of Primary Teaching, Institute for Teacher Education, Maldives 1984

• Disabilities and Inclusive Education
• Parent and Early Childhood Education
• Child Protection

2022 – with Villa College Institute for Research and Innovation (IRI) for UNICEF Maldives: Qualitative study on exploring Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) on parenting and child rights.
As research team member for data collection and drafting the literature review Villa College IRI for 8 months

2023 – Situational Analysis of Adolescent Girls in the South Asian Region (SAR).
Local consultant, for Collective Impact, USA, 2 weeks

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• Inclusive and Special Education
• Developmental Psychology
• Early Childhood Education
• Teaching and Learning/Curriculum Studies

2022 – with Villa College Institute for Research and Innovation (IRI) for UNICEF Maldives: Qualitative study on exploring Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) on parenting and child rights.
2023 – Situational Analysis of Adolescent Girls in the South Asian Region (SAR).

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Keynote speaker for the Inclusive Education sessions in Faafu and Hdh. Atoll organized by Department of Inclusive Education

Disability Council president appointed member from 2021 till 2025

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Joint Positive Parent Programme development and training of 5 packages with lead facilitator (over 8 batches of facilitator training); Training of WDC and council members on Social Behaviour Change; sessions on GBV and Violence against women and girls