Mahbouba Seraj
Born1948
Kabul, Afghanistan
NationalityAfghan
Occupation(s)Journalist, Women's rights activist
Known forCo-founder of Afghan Women's Network, Creator of radio program "Our Beloved Afghanistan by Mahbouba Seraj"
AwardsBBC's 100 Women of 2021, Time 100 (2021)

Mahbouba[note 1] Seraj (Pashto/Persian: محبوبه سراج) is an Afghan journalist and women's right activist.

Early life and career

Born in 1948 in Kabul.[1] Seraj attended Malalai High School and later studied at Kabul University.[2]

In 1978, Seraj and her husband were put in prison by the Communist Party of Afghanistan and later that year declared persona non grata.[3] She then left for the United States,[1] at least initially New York City,[4] and lived there in exile for some 26 years, before returning to Afghanistan in 2003.[5][6][7] Following her return, she co-founded a number of organizations to address corruption, women and children's rights. Most notably as a member of the non-profit Afghan Women's Network, she has dedicated her cause to championing children's health, battling corruption and empowering victims of domestic violence. She is the creator and announcer of a radio program for women by the name of “Our Beloved Afghanistan by Mahbouba Seraj” which has been broadcast all over Afghanistan. She has also advocated for women to be part of the political discourse, through a National Action Plan, encouraged by UN Nations.

When the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, Seraj refused to flee the country, deciding to remain in Kabul to continue to work with women and children.[8][9] In September 2021, she was included in the Time 100, Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.[10]

She has launched many campaigns both inside and outside Afghanistan to end the hatred of Iranians towards Afghans.[11]

Recognition

She was recognized as one of the BBC’s 100 women of 2021.[12]

The documentary short The Noble Guardian, directed by Anna Coren, is about her. At the 2023 LA Shorts International Film Festival, it won best documentary.[13]

References and footnotes

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Also spelled as Mahbooba

References

  1. 1 2 MacKinnon, Mark (4 October 2021). "Godmother of Afghan women's rights stays to fight for the future". The Globe and Mail.
  2. ↑ "Biography of Mahbouba Seraj". Afghan Women Skills Development Center. Retrieved 2021-08-23.
  3. ↑ van Lierde, Frank (2020-01-10). "Afghan women, frontline defenders of Afghan democracy". Cordaid International. Retrieved 2021-08-23.
  4. ↑ "Last Exit from Afghanistan". The New Yorker. 2021-02-27. Retrieved 2021-08-23.
  5. ↑ "Mahbouba Seraj - Contributor". www.huffpost.com. Retrieved 2021-08-23.
  6. ↑ Akhauri, Tanvi (2021-08-19). "Who Is Mahbouba Seraj? One Of The Strongest Afghan Voices For Women's Rights". She the People - the Women's channel. Retrieved 2021-08-23.
  7. ↑ Hilal, Elizabeth Weingarten, Leila. "A Step Forward for Afghan Women?". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2021-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ↑ "Mahbouba Seraj: The 100 Most Influential People of 2021". Time. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  9. ↑ Johnson, Emily Alfin; ElBardicy, Mohamad; Rezvani, Arezou (2021-08-17). "She Is Staying In Afghanistan To Ensure Women's Gains Aren't Lost Under Taliban Rule". NPR. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  10. ↑ Taddonio, Patrice (October 12, 2021). "'I Cannot Protect Her': A Disappearance. An Activist Unable to Help". Frontline. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  11. ↑ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-godmother-of-afghan-womens-rights-stays-to-fight-for-the-future/
  12. ↑ "BBC 100 Women 2021: Who is on the list this year?". BBC News. 2021-12-07. Retrieved 2022-12-16.
  13. ↑ Riley, Jenelle (November 4, 2023). "'The Noble Guardian' Documentary on Afghan Activist Eyes Oscar Chances".
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