Maryam Durani Facts for Kids

Durani receiving the 2012 International Women of Courage Award

Maryam Durani (Dari: مریم درانی) was born in 1987 in Afghanistan. She is a brave Afghan activist and a strong supporter of women's rights. In 2012, she received a special honor called the International Women of Courage Award.

Maryam's Life and Work
Awards and Recognition
See also

Maryam's Life and Work

Maryam Durani is the daughter of Haji Mohammad Eisa Durani. She is also a member of the Pashtun Durrani tribe. She studied Law, Political Science, and business.

A Leader in Kandahar

Even though the area where Maryam lives, Kandahar, is very traditional about women's roles, she became a leader. She is a role model and helps women in Kandahar. In 2005, when she was only 21, she was chosen to be a member of the Kandahar Provincial Council. She was elected again in 2009. She was one of only four women on the Council. She made sure that women's ideas and concerns were heard.

Helping Women and Girls

Maryam is a young and strong leader in southern Afghanistan. She is very brave and dedicated to helping women. She started and leads an organization that helps women become stronger. She also runs Merman Radio, a radio station in Kandahar City. This station focuses on topics important to women.

Maryam speaks out for peace and the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. She also supports basic rights for all Afghan citizens. She wants to change how people think about women's roles in her country.

Facing Challenges with Courage

Maryam knows that being a visible leader can be dangerous. She gets a lot of support from her family, who also face these risks. Years ago, she was hurt in an attack that almost took her life. Her position in the Kandahar Provincial Government is very unusual for a woman. This is because southern Afghanistan has very traditional values, often influenced by Taliban views.

Maryam challenges old ideas and traditions. She has become a strong role model for women who want to improve their lives and the lives of their families. She uses her position to promote fairness, peace, human rights, and basic freedoms for women in Kandahar.

Investing in Education

Maryam believes that the best way to help Afghanistan's future is to invest in its teachers. She thinks that if teachers get good training, they will have more knowledge. This will help them provide a great education to the young people of Afghanistan. Maryam also believes that to have peace in Afghanistan, everyone needs equal access to good education. She supports programs that help more girls and boys go to school.

Maryam's Many Projects

Maryam Durani has worked in many different roles:

She was a representative for the people of Kandahar in the provincial council.
She is the director of the Khadija Kubra Women’s Association. This organization helps women in Kandahar and was started in 2004.
She founded and owns Merman Radio in Kandahar. This special radio station for women started in 2010. It helps talk about gender equality and brings women's voices forward. Merman Radio helps young people, especially women, and media workers. They explore important topics like human rights, good government, and economic issues. Maryam says it's hard to gather men and women together in Kandahar. So, she started the radio station to reach many people at once.
She founded the Kandahar Women's Network in 2013. This network helps women become stronger and has 25 women-led organizations as members.
She founded the Malalai Maiwandi Internet Cafe. This was the first internet cafe for women in Afghanistan. It opened in 2013. It gives women a safe and comfortable place to connect with the world. Girls can use the cafe to learn about current events and find educational materials.
She founded the House of Learning (Institute of Modern Studies for Girls). This place helps over 600 women get an education in Business Management, Information Technology, English, and Communications. These programs give students skills to find jobs and support their families. They also help improve their communities and rebuild Kandahar.
She founded the Bebe Aisha women's library. This was the first library just for women in Afghanistan. It has over 4,000 books. Its main goal is to give girls and women a peaceful place to read. Since it can be hard for women to go to public libraries, this library offers a calm space with many useful books. It helps women get equal access to information and improve their education.
In September 2020, Maryam opened a new fitness center for women. She has survived many dangers, including attacks and threats, for her work. The gym is in a hidden basement, safe from prying eyes. It is part of the Khadija Kubra Women’s Association. This association also includes the radio station, English and literacy classes, an Islamic school, and a sewing center. Maryam said women loved the gym because they needed it. She noted that some men reacted negatively, thinking the club went against their beliefs.

Maryam's Current Roles

Maryam Durani holds several important positions:

She is an assistant for the women advising board of Kandahar.
She is an assistant for the Peace Dialogue Board of UNAMA in Kandahar.
She is an assistant for the Combating Corruption Board of UNAMA in Kandahar.
She is the Director of the Khadija Kubra Women’s Association for Culture.
She is the Director of Merman (Women’s Radio).
She is the Head of the Kandahar Women's Network.
She is the Head of the House of Learning Women’s Center.

Awards and Recognition

Maryam Durani has received many awards for her brave work:

In March 2012, she received the U.S. Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Award.
In the same year, Time Magazine chose Maryam as one of "The 100 Most Influential People in the World". Time magazine said she showed amazing bravery by running a radio station for women and being on the Kandahar provincial council.
In July 2013, Maryam was chosen as one of 30 young activists by the National Endowment for Democracy.
In May 2014, Maryam received the Roosevelt Four Freedoms Award in Middelburg, Netherlands.
In November 2015, Maryam received the International Peace Generation Award from the UN in America.
In December 2015, Maryam received the Simorgh International Peace Prize. This award was given on Human Rights Day.

Maryam Durani facts for kids

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