Meena Keshwar Kamal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Meena Keshwar Kamal
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| مینا کشور کمال | |
Meena Keshwar Kamal, 1982
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| Born | 27 February 1956 Kabul, Kingdom of Afghanistan
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| Died | 4 February 1987 (aged 30) |
| Education | Kabul University |
| Occupation | Revolutionary political activist, feminist, activist |
| Years active | 1977–1987 |
| Organization | Founder of Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) |
| Spouse(s) | Faiz Ahmad (1976-1986) |
Meena Keshwar Kamal, often known simply as Meena, was a brave Afghan activist. She was born on February 27, 1956. Meena worked hard for women's rights and equality in Afghanistan. She started an important group called the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA). Sadly, she lost her life in 1987 when she was only 30 years old.
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Meena's Early Life and Activism
Meena was a student at Kabul University in 1977. While there, she decided to make a big difference. She founded RAWA, a group focused on helping women in Afghanistan. RAWA's main goal was to give women a voice. It also aimed to promote education and equal rights for them.
Even though there were some changes in Afghanistan, Meena felt women still faced many challenges. In 1979, she spoke out against the government. She organized meetings in schools to gather support for her cause. In 1981, she started a magazine called Payam-e-Zan, which means "Women's Message." This magazine shared feminist ideas.
Meena also created Watan Schools. These schools helped children and mothers who were Afghan refugees. They offered medical care and taught useful skills. This helped many families in need.
At the end of 1981, Meena was invited to France. She represented the Afghan resistance movement at a big meeting. When she waved a victory sign, many people cheered for her. The Soviet delegation, a group from the Soviet Union, even left the room. Later, Meena moved her RAWA organization to Quetta, Pakistan. This allowed her to continue her work against the Afghan government from there.
Meena's Family Life
Meena was married to Faiz Ahmad. He was a leader of the Afghanistan Liberation Organization. Faiz Ahmad died in November 1986. Meena herself passed away less than three months later. They had three children, but their whereabouts are not known today.
How Meena Lost Her Life
Meena was killed in Quetta, Pakistan, on February 4, 1987. It is not fully clear who was responsible. Some believe it was agents from the Afghan intelligence service, KHAD. Others think it might have been people connected to a fundamentalist leader named Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.
Meena's Lasting Impact
Meena's work left a strong mark on the world. In 2006, Time magazine featured her. They called her one of "60 Asian Heroes." The magazine said that even though she was only 30, Meena had started a powerful movement for women's rights in Afghanistan. This movement was built on the idea that knowledge is power.
RAWA, the organization Meena founded, remembers her words: "Meena gave 12 years of her short but brilliant life to struggle for her homeland and her people." They believe she had a strong faith. She thought that Afghan women would one day awaken and fight for freedom and their rights. Her enemies were afraid of the love and respect she inspired. They knew her fight would challenge those who opposed freedom and women's rights.
Meena once said something very powerful:
Afghan women are like sleeping lions, when awoken, they can play a wonderful role in any social revolution.
See also
- Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan
- Taliban treatment of women
