Fawzia Koofi, a peace negotiator, human rights activist and former legislator, was recognized as one of the "World’s 50 Greatest Leaders" by Fortune Magazine. 

Koofi said that she will see herself as a leader whenever Afghanistan and its people live in peace. 

“If the situation is in a way that we end killing and violence through negotiations, I think in that case, despite all the hardships the process faces, we can be hopeful for peace, and yes, we might be able to address all the demands of Afghans. But the basic rights and human rights that we deserve--and that Afghan women deserve--should be ensured in the peace process,” Koofi said. 

Koofi was the first woman in Afghanistan’s history to serve as deputy speaker of the Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of the Parliament. 

She is head of the Mawj-e-Tahawul-e-Afghanistan party and is the first Afghan woman to lead a political party. 

“Some say that women have improved during the 20 years of the foreigners' presence in Afghanistan. I believe that considering the daily pressures that women face, if they didn’t resist, if they didn’t believe in their abilities, they would have never achieved the place that they have today,” Koofi said. 

Peace negotiator Fawzia Koofi won the CASA Asia award for "diversity and sustainable development" for her support of the rights of women and children, her role in the peace process and her commitment to the education of girls and women. 

Koofi left Kabul with her colleagues on Tuesday for Doha to resume negotiations with the Taliban.