Maryam Mahboob facts for kids

Maryam Mahboob is an author from Afghanistan. She is well-known for her stories about Afghan people who have moved to other countries. She also writes about how society treats women in Afghanistan.

Maryam Mahboob was born in Maimana, Afghanistan, in 1955. Because her father worked for the Afghan government, she lived in different parts of the country. This helped her see how Afghan women lived in various places. She finished her high school education in Kabul. Later, she earned her Master's degree from Tehran University.

Life in Exile

After the Soviet Union entered Afghanistan in 1979, Maryam Mahboob had to leave her home country. First, she moved to Pakistan. Then, in 1981, she went to Delhi, India.

Starting a Journal

In India, Maryam Mahboob joined other Afghans who had also left their country. Together, they started a journal called Gahnama. This name means "irregular journal." They used the journal to share their culture and speak out. They were against both the communist government in Afghanistan and the Mujahideen groups.

However, the Mujahideen groups in India put pressure on the Afghan community. Because of this, Maryam Mahboob moved again in 1983. She traveled all the way to Canada.

Her Writings

Maryam Mahboob wrote most of her important stories and books while living outside Afghanistan. This is often called living in the diaspora.

Her writings often focus on how women are treated unfairly. She writes about women being held back and pushed to the side. Her stories also show a strong desire for change. They challenge old social rules and ideas about women.