2007 Award for the Defence of the Human Rights of Women

Najia Haneefi

Najia has been campaigning for Afghan women’s rights for many years.

She was former director of the Afghan Women’s Educational Centre in Kabul - one of Afghanistan’s largest grassroots women’s NGOs. The centre promotes the rights, self sufficiency and empowerment of Afghan women.

She worked to empower women throughout civil war and the Taliban regime, even though her activities provoked threats and attacks from fundamentalists. Najia successfully lead a campaign against the reintroduction of the Ministry of Vice and Virtue which, only twelve months ago, seemed certain.

The judges were impressed with the great commitment and personal courage shown by Najia, who has devoted much of her adult life to campaigning for Afghan women’s rights. She has remained committed to her cause despite the real threat to her life her activities have provoked. The judges were also impressed with the work of the Afghan Women’s Educational Centre where a powerful combination of practical projects and political campaigning makes their work so effective.