Shinkai Zahine Karokhail[1] (Pashto: شينکۍ ذهين کړوخېل[2]) is an Afghan politician and rights activist,[3] focusing mainly on the political representation of women[4] and the protection of vulnerable children. She was the Afghan ambassador to Canada.[5]
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Early life
Mrs Karokhail was born to Pashtun parents in Kabul, Afghanistan, where she attended the Medical College of the Kabul University and graduated with a medical degree.[6] Similarly, apart from medicine studying political science, she holds a diploma in English from the National Institute of Modern Languages of Islamabad, Pakistan. She speaks, Persian, Pashto, Urdu and English.[citation needed]
Political career
Mrs Karokhail was elected Wolesi Jirga as an MP in 2005 [7] to represent the people of Kabul in the National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.[8] She was re-elected in the 2010 parliamentary elections. Currently, she is the member of the Parliamentary Women Caucus committee and serves on the Budget and Finance Committee.[citation needed]
Mrs Karokhail has a vocal advocate of women's rights, alongside working tirelessly on conflict prevention programmes.[9]
In 1991, she among others members founded the Afghan Women's Educational Center,[10] initially taking its teaching responsibilities followed by various other posts during the later years. In 2002, she became the director of the NGO heading its developmental and management programmes.
Mrs. Karokhail played a pivotal role in opposing the controversial draft Shia Family Law, which was seen to be oppressing Shiite women and depriving them of many of their rights in a marital relationship.[11] After making international headlines, a number of amendments [12] were made to the draft law in order to make it more acceptable.
Moreover, she was also one of the few voices behind the Elimination of Violence Against Women Bill[13] which was approved[14] by the President of Afghanistan in 2009. She was the only parliamentarian alongside other female leaders from various departments to be invited to witness the signing of the bill by President Hamid Karzai.
Interests
Mrs. Karokhail focuses on development, economic Security, good governance, Justice and transparency, Human rights, regional cooperation & security, women, peace and security issues as well as lobbying for more women in the inner circle of power.[15]
Awards
In 2012, Mrs. Karokhail received[16] the East West Institute's[17] first ever H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Award [18] for Values-based Leadership.