Zala Zazai
Zala Zazai is a former Afghan police officer who worked in Khost Province. In 2021, she was named on the BBC 100 Women list.[1]
Early life
Zazai was born into a Zazi Karlan Pashtun family that did not support girl's education; however, her mother pushed for Zazai to be able to study.[2][3]
Career
Zazai trained as a police officer in Turkey.[2][3] She was sworn in as the deputy chief of the criminal investigation police department in Khost Province in June 2020.[2] Her appointment received mixed reactions from the community, as she was the first woman police officer in the province, which has been characterized as conservative and traditional.[2][3]
Zazai left Afghanistan for Tajikistan following the Taliban takeover of the country in August 2021.[4]
Personal life
Some of Zazai's extended family stopped talking to her following her swearing in as deputy chief;[2] she reported receiving death threats from her father and uncles for taking the job.[5]
References
- ^ "BBC 100 Women 2021: Who is on the list this year?". BBC News. 2021-12-07. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
- ^ a b c d e "Meet Afghanistan's female deputy chief of police". The New Arab. 2020-07-07. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
- ^ a b c "Afghanistan: Turkey-trained female cop gets senior post". Andalou Agency. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
- ^ "Amid violent reprisals, Afghans fear the Taliban's 'amnesty' was empty". BBC News. 2021-08-31. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
- ^ Jardine, Melissa (August 23, 2021). "The world must evacuate women police in Afghanistan". Lowy Institute. Retrieved 2023-09-20.