Fawzia Koofi (Dari: فوزیه کوفی; born 1975) is an Afghan politician, women's rights activist, and former Member of Parliament. She has been a prominent voice for democracy, women's rights, and human rights in Afghanistan for decades, surviving multiple assassination attempts due to her outspoken advocacy.
Early Life and Education Koofi was born in 1975 in the Kof Ab district of Badakhshan province, Afghanistan, into a large polygamous family. Her father was a Member of Parliament who was assassinated by Mujahideen during the Afghan civil war, a fate that also befell her brother. Despite societal constraints and the turbulent political environment, Koofi was the first girl in her family to attend school. She pursued higher education, initially studying medicine, and later earning a degree in business and management from Preston University.
Political Career Koofi began her career working with UNICEF and other international organizations before entering politics. In 2005, she was elected to the Wolesi Jirga (House of the People), the lower house of Afghanistan's National Assembly, representing Badakhshan province. She was subsequently re-elected in 2010. During her time in parliament, Koofi served as the First Deputy Speaker of the Wolesi Jirga, becoming the first female to hold such a position in Afghanistan's history. Her parliamentary work focused on advocating for women's rights, education, and combating violence against women. She often traveled to remote areas of Afghanistan to listen to the concerns of her constituents and advocate for their needs.
In 2014, Koofi announced her intention to run for president of Afghanistan but was unable to meet the age requirement at the time. She continued her political work and advocacy.
Peace Negotiations Fawzia Koofi played a significant role in the Afghan peace process. In 2019 and 2020, she was part of the Afghan government's negotiating team for peace talks with the Taliban in Doha, Qatar. She was one of the few women included in the delegation, where she consistently pressed for the preservation of democratic gains, human rights, and women's rights in any future political settlement.
Activism and Advocacy Throughout her career, Koofi has been a staunch advocate for women's empowerment, education, and political participation. She has championed legislation to protect women from violence and has worked to promote girls' access to schooling across Afghanistan. Her activism extends beyond formal politics; she has founded organizations aimed at empowering women and has been a vocal critic of extremism and human rights abuses.
Threats and Resilience Due to her prominent role and outspoken views, Koofi has faced significant personal danger. She has survived multiple assassination attempts, including one in August 2020 where she was shot in the arm. Her resilience in the face of these threats has further solidified her status as a symbol of courage for many Afghan women.
Post-2021 Taliban Takeover Following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, Koofi remained in Afghanistan for a period, continuing to advocate for women's rights and education. She has since been active internationally, drawing attention to the deteriorating human rights situation, particularly for women and girls, under the Taliban regime.
Publications Koofi is the author of The Favored Daughter: One Woman's Journey Through Afghanistan's Taliban, a memoir published in 2011, which recounts her life story, the challenges she faced, and her aspirations for a democratic and equitable Afghanistan.