Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
Female Ministers of the Republic of Afghanistan/De Afganistan Jamhuriat/Jamhuriat ye Afganistan/Afqanistan (Female suffrage 1964) Absolute Monarchy till 1964, Constitutional Monarchy until 1973, Republic 1973, Socialist republic 1979-89 and then an Islamic Republic in civil war.

See also Heads of State and Afganistan Party Leaders

1965-67 Minister of Health Kubrah Nourzai
The first female MP in 1964. She lived (1927-86)

1971-72 Minister without Portfolio Shafriqua Siayel
1972-73 Advisor for the Ministry of Planning
1976-78 Minister of state for Women's Affairs

1978-79 Minister of Social Affairs and Tourism Dr. Anahita Ratebzad
1980      Minister of Education
1980-86 Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party and Member of the Presidency of the Revolutionary Council (Deputy Head of State)
She was ambassador to Yugoslavia 1978, and the highest ranking woman in the parcham faction of the PDPA, she is well known as an expert propagandist and companion of President Babrak Karmal. She also obtained an MD degree from Kabul University in 1963. Her former husband, Dr. Qamaruddin Kakar used to be Zahir Shah's personal physician.. (b. 1928-)

1990-92 Minister of Education Masoma Esmati Wardak

1990-92 Minister of Social Security Saleha Faruk Etemadi

2001-02 Deputy Premier Minister and Minister of Women's Affairs Dr. Sima Samar
2002-06 Cabinet Member and Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission
She was appointed Deputy Leader of the Transitional Council after the woman-hating Taleban-regime was ousted. 2002 Vice-Chairperson of the loya jirga - "the national grand council". She was offered to continue as Women's Minister but preferred to become Chairperson of the newly established Human Rights Commission. (b. 1956-).

2001-04 Minister of Health Dr. Suhaila Seddiqi
An ethnic Muhammadzai Pashtun related to Afghanistan's royal family, she was given the rank of surgeon general during the communist rule of Najibullah. in September 1996, she was the chief of surgery at the capital's Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital. (b. 1941-)

2001-02 Deputy Minister of Women's Affairs Tajwar Kakar Rahim
She returned to Afghanistan in 2000 after 20 years in exile in Australia, and was a member of the Loya Jirga

2002-04 Minister of Women's Affairs Dr. Habiba Sorabi
Pharmacist and Medical Teacher, in exile in Pakistan from 1996 and in 2005 she became Governor of Bamiyan (b. 1958-).

2002-04 Minister of State and Presidential Advisor for Women's Affairs Dr. Mahboba Hoqooqmal
She is a former Professor of Law at Kabul University. Also known as Mahboba Hoqumal, Mahbuba Hoquqmal or Mahbobeh Hoghogh-Mal, she was Vice-President of the Emergency Loya Jirga Commission 2002, whose task it was to convene the Loya Jirga.

2002-06 Deputy Minister for Women's Affairs Dr. Soraya Rahim Sobrang
2006 Designate Minister of Women's Affairs
Her appointment to the Cabinet was rejected by Parliament. Her name is also trancribed as Suraya Raheem Sabarnag

2004-06 Minister of Women's Affairs Masooda Jalal
She was presidential candidate in 2002 and 2004.

2006- Deputy Minister for Women's Affairs Najiba Sharif

Last update 27.02.07