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50 Afghans Among BBC’s 100 Influential Women of 2021

The BBC revealed its list of "100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2021," which included 50 Afghan women from various backgrounds.

The BBC said this year that its "100 Women" list was selected based on those women who have contributed to reinventing “our society, our culture, and our world.”

The BBC stated that the political change in Afghanistan has affected the lives of millions of Afghans, especially women and girls, who have been banned from receiving secondary education in many areas and faced restrictions in work. Also, the BBC noted that the ministry of women's affairs had been shut down. 

The Afghan women on the BBC’s list are as follows:

Lima Aafshid, "award-winning poet and writer."

Muqadasa Ahmadzai, who "organized a network of more than 400 young women activists from Nangarhar province."

Rada Akbar--"Misogyny and the oppression of women are at the heart of this Afghan visual artist’s work."

Leena Alam, an "award-winning TV, film and theater actress and human-rights activist."

Dr Alema, "a prominent scholar in philosophy and social sciences."

Wahida Amiri, "a librarian and book lover and frequent protester."

Zuhal Atmar, a businesswoman who founded "Afghanistan's first waste-paper recycling factory, Gul-e-Mursal."

Crystal Bayat, a "social activist and human-rights advocate."

Razia Barakzai, who worked "for the government at the presidential palace for a number of years."

Nilofar Bayat, "the captain of the national wheelchair basketball team and a prominent advocate for women with disabilities."

Faiza Darkhani, "one of few people working in the field of climate change in Afghanistan."

Pashtana Durrani, "founder and executive director of Learn Afghanistan."

Shila Ensandost, a teacher for whom "raising awareness of the rights of women and girls to education is ... a priority."

Saeeda Etebari, "an entrepreneur and an internationally renowned jewelry designer and maker."

Sahar Fetrat, a feminist activist and "the force behind numerous protests aimed at tackling gender stereotypes."

Fatima Gailani, "one of four female peace negotiators to sit with the Taliban in 2020, trying to seek a 'fair political settlement.'" who is a "prominent political leader and activist."

Ghawgha, "a talented singer, songwriter and composer."

Angela Ghayour, "founder of an online school in Herat."

Najlla Habibyar, "founder of Blue Treasure Inc and Ark Group."

Zarlasht Halaimzai, "co-founder and chief executive of the Refugee Trauma Initiative (RTI)."

Nasrin Husseini-- "On her veterinary medicine course at Kabul University, Nasrin Husseini was one of only two women in a class of around 75 students."

Momena Ibrahimi--"Three years after joining the police force, Momena Ibrahimi, known as Momena Karbalayee, was sexually abused by her senior."

Freshta Karim turned "buses into mobile libraries" to form "Kabul-based NGO Charmaghz."

Amena Karimyan, "a civil engineer and an instructor at Herat Technical Institute."

Aliya Kazimy, "worked with the Red Cross as a volunteer for three years."

Mahera--"Dr Mahera is still busy seeing patients in the gynecology hospital where she works."

Maral, "women’s-rights activist."

Masouma, "a female prosecutor in Afghanistan."

Mohadese Mirzaee, "Afghanistan's first female commercial airline pilot."

Fahima Mirzaie, "Afghanistan’s first and only female whirling-dervish dancer."

Basira Paigham, "working for LGBTQ+ rights in Afghanistan."

Rehana Popal, "an immigration and civil-law specialist."

Razma, "an accomplished musician."

Rohila, "a schoolgirl."

Ruksana--"Dr Ruksana is a surgeon and assistant professor."

Halima Sadaf Karimi, "a lawmaker and former member of the Afghan Parliament from the northern Jowzjan province."

Roya Sadat, "the first female director to emerge from the Taliban era in Afghanistan."

Shogufa Safi, "as a conductor of Zohra, Afghanistan's first all-female orchestra."

Sahar--"football player."

Mahbouba Seraj, "women’s right activist."

Anisa Shaheed, "one of Afghanistan’s most high-profile reporters," formerly of TOLOnews. 

Fatima Sultani, "mountain climbing athlete."

Sara Wahedi, "founder of Afghan technology start-up Ehtesab."

Roshanak Wardak, "a former member of parliament and a qualified gynecologist."

Benafsha Yaqoobi is a "human-rights activist" and founded "Rahyab Organisation to provide education and rehabilitation to blind people in Afghanistan."

Zala Zazai, "the first female deputy chief in the police’s criminal investigation department in Afghanistan’s Khost province."

50 Afghans Among BBC’s 100 Influential Women of 2021

In BBC’s 2021 list of influential women, 50 percent of them are Afghan women.

تصویر بندانگشتی

The BBC revealed its list of "100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2021," which included 50 Afghan women from various backgrounds.

The BBC said this year that its "100 Women" list was selected based on those women who have contributed to reinventing “our society, our culture, and our world.”

The BBC stated that the political change in Afghanistan has affected the lives of millions of Afghans, especially women and girls, who have been banned from receiving secondary education in many areas and faced restrictions in work. Also, the BBC noted that the ministry of women's affairs had been shut down. 

The Afghan women on the BBC’s list are as follows:

Lima Aafshid, "award-winning poet and writer."

Muqadasa Ahmadzai, who "organized a network of more than 400 young women activists from Nangarhar province."

Rada Akbar--"Misogyny and the oppression of women are at the heart of this Afghan visual artist’s work."

Leena Alam, an "award-winning TV, film and theater actress and human-rights activist."

Dr Alema, "a prominent scholar in philosophy and social sciences."

Wahida Amiri, "a librarian and book lover and frequent protester."

Zuhal Atmar, a businesswoman who founded "Afghanistan's first waste-paper recycling factory, Gul-e-Mursal."

Crystal Bayat, a "social activist and human-rights advocate."

Razia Barakzai, who worked "for the government at the presidential palace for a number of years."

Nilofar Bayat, "the captain of the national wheelchair basketball team and a prominent advocate for women with disabilities."

Faiza Darkhani, "one of few people working in the field of climate change in Afghanistan."

Pashtana Durrani, "founder and executive director of Learn Afghanistan."

Shila Ensandost, a teacher for whom "raising awareness of the rights of women and girls to education is ... a priority."

Saeeda Etebari, "an entrepreneur and an internationally renowned jewelry designer and maker."

Sahar Fetrat, a feminist activist and "the force behind numerous protests aimed at tackling gender stereotypes."

Fatima Gailani, "one of four female peace negotiators to sit with the Taliban in 2020, trying to seek a 'fair political settlement.'" who is a "prominent political leader and activist."

Ghawgha, "a talented singer, songwriter and composer."

Angela Ghayour, "founder of an online school in Herat."

Najlla Habibyar, "founder of Blue Treasure Inc and Ark Group."

Zarlasht Halaimzai, "co-founder and chief executive of the Refugee Trauma Initiative (RTI)."

Nasrin Husseini-- "On her veterinary medicine course at Kabul University, Nasrin Husseini was one of only two women in a class of around 75 students."

Momena Ibrahimi--"Three years after joining the police force, Momena Ibrahimi, known as Momena Karbalayee, was sexually abused by her senior."

Freshta Karim turned "buses into mobile libraries" to form "Kabul-based NGO Charmaghz."

Amena Karimyan, "a civil engineer and an instructor at Herat Technical Institute."

Aliya Kazimy, "worked with the Red Cross as a volunteer for three years."

Mahera--"Dr Mahera is still busy seeing patients in the gynecology hospital where she works."

Maral, "women’s-rights activist."

Masouma, "a female prosecutor in Afghanistan."

Mohadese Mirzaee, "Afghanistan's first female commercial airline pilot."

Fahima Mirzaie, "Afghanistan’s first and only female whirling-dervish dancer."

Basira Paigham, "working for LGBTQ+ rights in Afghanistan."

Rehana Popal, "an immigration and civil-law specialist."

Razma, "an accomplished musician."

Rohila, "a schoolgirl."

Ruksana--"Dr Ruksana is a surgeon and assistant professor."

Halima Sadaf Karimi, "a lawmaker and former member of the Afghan Parliament from the northern Jowzjan province."

Roya Sadat, "the first female director to emerge from the Taliban era in Afghanistan."

Shogufa Safi, "as a conductor of Zohra, Afghanistan's first all-female orchestra."

Sahar--"football player."

Mahbouba Seraj, "women’s right activist."

Anisa Shaheed, "one of Afghanistan’s most high-profile reporters," formerly of TOLOnews. 

Fatima Sultani, "mountain climbing athlete."

Sara Wahedi, "founder of Afghan technology start-up Ehtesab."

Roshanak Wardak, "a former member of parliament and a qualified gynecologist."

Benafsha Yaqoobi is a "human-rights activist" and founded "Rahyab Organisation to provide education and rehabilitation to blind people in Afghanistan."

Zala Zazai, "the first female deputy chief in the police’s criminal investigation department in Afghanistan’s Khost province."

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