Razia Barakzai (born 1995) is an Afghan women's rights activist. She was named one of the BBC's 100 Women in 2021 for her work in leading the first women's protests against the Taliban in August 2021,[1] following their takeover of Afghanistan that same month.[2][3]

Early life and education

Barakzai was born in Farah Province.[2] She was the only child born to her Pashtun parents;[4][5] her mother was a housewife, while her father was a commander in the Afghan Security Forces. She attended Herat University, where she studied political science, and obtained her master's degree from Kabul University.[2]

Career

In the late 2010s, Barakzai was the sole provider for her family. She worked both as a university professor in Kabul and for the Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan at the presidential palace. During her time with the commission, five of her suggested projects were approved, including proposals for peace parks in the Herat and Nangarhar Provinces and the creation of online systems with which users could submit complaints and petitions to the government.[2] Her last day working at the presidential palace was August 15, 2021, when all workers were asked to leave for their own safety; the Taliban took over the building later that day.[2]

Activism

On August 16, 2021, following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, Barakzai and two other women led the first women's protests against the new government in Zanbaq Square, near the presidential palace.[2][5] In the aftermath, she was arrested and beaten.[1] Online, Barakzai started the hashtag #AfghanWomenExist under which to organize in person demonstrations.[6] She continued to participate in protests in September 2021, in response to statements suggesting women would not be able to hold positions in the new government.[7] During these protests, she reported being struck in the head by Taliban forces, and that tear gas and pepper spray were used against protesters.[7]

Barakzai and other online organizers declared October 10, 2021 as World Women Solidarity Day With Afghan Women.[2] In December 2021, Barakzai participated in protests surrounding women's rights to work and study, and the need for financial relief.[8]

By late 2021, Barakzai had fled Afghanistan due to death threats made against her by the Taliban.[2][3] She first traveled to Mashdad, Iran, but relocated after realizing she was still being surveiled.[2] She continued to change locations as she continued to receive death threats.[5]

In early November 2022, Barakzai helped organize a letter writing campaign aimed at the United Nations Security Council, urging the body to take action to help Afghan women.[9] She has criticized UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed[10] and U.S. Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights Rina Amiri for meeting with Taliban officials or suggesting the Taliban might be validated as Afghanistan's legitimate government.[11]

As of July 2023, Barakzai was living in Pakistan with relatives.[1] She maintained contact with activists within Afghanistan, and has continued to speak out against Taliban policies, such as the shutdown of women's salons.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Jaafari, Shirin (July 7, 2023). "Women in Afghanistan are devastated by the Taliban's ban on beauty salons". The World from PRX. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Shahalimi, Nahid (2022-08-16). We Are Still Here: Afghan Women on Courage, Freedom, and the Fight to Be Heard. Penguin. ISBN 978-0-593-47291-0. Archived from the original on 2023-09-21. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  3. 1 2 Nelson, Soraya Sarhaddi (August 17, 2022). "Afghan women raise their voices in two new anthologies". NPR. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  4. ↑ ""Since the Taliban are Pashtuns, we are sorry": Pashtun civil activists". Aamaj News. 2022-05-12. Archived from the original on 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  5. 1 2 3 "Interview with Former FBI Special Agent and Yale University Senior Lecturer Asha Rangappa; Interview with Novelist Hari Kunzru; Interview with PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel; Interview with "We Are Still Here" Editor Nahid Shahalimi. Aired 1-2p ET". transcripts.cnn.com. August 19, 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-09-25. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  6. ↑ "Urgent letters from Afghanistan: 'I hope the world will not forget us'". BBC News. 2021-12-07. Archived from the original on 2023-05-06. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  7. 1 2 Latifi, Ali M. (September 4, 2021). "Women march in Kabul to demand role in Taliban government". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 2021-09-04. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  8. ↑ Saayin, Asma (2021-12-16). "Kabul women rally for right to education, work". Pajhwok Afghan News. Archived from the original on 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  9. ↑ "100 Letters Sent To UN Security Council Regarding Dire Situation of Afghan Women". Afghanistan International. 2023-09-20. Archived from the original on 2023-09-21. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  10. ↑ "UN Deputy Secretary-General's Remarks on Taliban Recognition Draw Reactions". Nimrokh News. 2023-04-22. Archived from the original on 2023-04-29. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  11. ↑ Kawa, Amin (2023-08-02). "Controversies Surrounding U.S.-Taliban Talks; Human Rights and Women Activists: Disheartening and Shameful". Hasht-e Subh Daily. Archived from the original on 2023-08-03. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
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