Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
1210's-1221 Reigning
Lala Khatun of Bamiyan
Today it is a town in North-central Afghanistan's Hazarijat province. Bamiyan is an
ancient caravan center on the route across the Hindu Kush between India and
central Asia. It was sacked by Ghenghis Khan in 1221 and never regained its former
prominence.
1405-57 Politically
Influential Gawhar Shad of Herat
Also known as Gowhar Shād, Gauhar Shad or Goharshad and exercised extraordinary
influence at court during the reign of her husband, Shah Rukh of the Timurid
Dynasty, and among others advised him on military campaigns. She was a patron of
art and architecture, donated grants to mosques, She outlived her husband, who
died 1445, by a decade, maneuvered her favorite grandson onto the throne, and
was executed on July 19th 1457 on the order of Sultan Abu Sa'id. Goharshad had a
mosque ("Masjed-e Goharshad") built in 1418 in Mashad, Khorasan. Her sister,
Gohar Taj also has a tomb in Khorasan. (lived before 1377-1457).
Also known as Mah Čučak Bigum, she was regent for her son, Prince Mirza Muhammad
Hakim (1553-56-85), son of the Moghul Emperor Humayum (1508-56), to whom she was
a concobuine. She was murdered in 1565.
She influenced her husband, King Amanulluh Shah, who was one of the most liberal
rulers of the country. He abolished slavery, liberalized the family code, child
marriage was limited, women got right to choose their own husband, etc. In 1928
Soraya and her daughters appeared unveiled. Conservative forces forced her
husband to abdicate in 1929, and they went into exile first in India and then in
Rome. She was his third husband, he married two more times, and lived
(1892-1960) She was the daughter of Mahmud Beg Tarzi, sometime Minister for
Foreign Affairs, and lived (1897-1968).
1978-80
Member of
the Revolutionary Council Dr. Anahita Ratebzad
1980-86
Member of the Presidency of the Revolutionary Council and the Politburo of the
Communist Party (Deputy Head of State)
She was ambassador to Yugoslavia 1978, Minister of Social Affairs 1978-79 and
Minister of Education 1980. (b. 1928-)
1980-circa
89 Member
of the Revolutionary Council Jamila Palwashad
From 1986 also Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party.
1980-89 Member of the Revolutionary Council Suraya
1986-89
Member of the Revolutionary Council Adina Sangin
Also member of the Politburo.
Around 1990- Warlord Bibi Ayesha Kaftar in the Narin district
Known as "The Pigeon", she has fought the Russians, the Taleban and many local
rivals in the brooding mountains on the borders of the Province of Baghlan, and
claims to have 150 men under her command, while the United Nation estimates that she
has weapons for at least 50 .
Her only concession to social mores is that she insists that a male relative
accompany her into battle, in line with Afghan tradition for women outside the
home. The UN are planning to disarm her and the other illegal armed groups,
but she refuses to give up her weapons. Her four surviving sons are her loyal lieutenants.
2 others have been killed in battle. (b. 1954-).
Last update 14.05.06