Benafsha Yaqoobi
Benafsha Yaqoobi (also known as Benafsha Yaqubi) is an Afghan disability rights activist. She was made one of the BBC's 100 Women in 2021.
Career
Benafsha Yaqoobi was born blind in Afghanistan and became a disability rights activist.[1] She studied Persian literature in Iran and then took two masters degrees in Kabul, before working at the Attorney General's Office.[2] With her husband Mahdi Salami, who is also blind, she founded the Rahyab Organisation to assist and educate blind people.[2]
From 2019 onwards, Yaqoobi was a commissioner at the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) until she fled Afghanistan with her husband in 2021 after the Taliban retook power. On their third attempt to leave, they made it to Kabul airport and travelled to the UK.[3]
In 2020, Yaqoobi was a candidate for the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.[4] She was made one of the BBC's 100 Women in 2021.[5]
References
- ^ "Blind Afghan activist fears for disabled people living in homeland". ITV News. 14 September 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Beginning of a New Era at the AIHRC: Nine fresh commissioners". Afghanistan Analysts Network - English (in Pashto). 20 July 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ Murray, Jessica (6 September 2021). "Disabled Afghans in special jeopardy, warns exiled campaigner". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ "CRPD Committee Elections". WFD. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ "BBC 100 Women 2021: Who is on the list this year?". BBC News. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.