Fatema Jafari Talks on Women’s Rights in Middle East

GLC and MENALSA co-sponsored a talk on "Women’s Rights and Political Participation in the Middle East” on October 26. Fatema Jafari, Yale World Fellow and a woman’s rights advocate and public official recently reelected as a member of the Provincial Council of Herat, spoke about the challenges she faced running for elected office, the guidance and help she recieved from US-led non-profit organizations based in Afghanistan, her desire to use her education to encourage other women in Afghanistan to follow in her footsteps and get involved in local politics.

In her capacity as a member of the Provincial Council of Herat, Jafari serves on a number of committees related to women’s right in Afghanistan. As head of family support committee, she has also facilitated the creation of an umbrella group of roughly 80 women’s organization to help coordinate their efforts. Previously she participated in three loya jirgas (consultative councils) from 2010-2013. She has worked on several advocacy campaigns opposing violence against women and has pressed for greater respect for women’s right at the national level.