Sima Samar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sima Samar
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سیما سمر
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Samar in 2017
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| Minister of Women's Affairs of Afghanistan | |
| In office December 2001 – 2003 |
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| President | Hamid Karzai |
| Preceded by | None |
| Succeeded by | Habiba Sarabi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 February 1957 Jaghori, Ghazni, Afghanistan |
| Nationality | Hazara |
| Awards | Right Livelihood Award |
Sima Samar (Persian: سیما سمر; born February 3, 1957) is a brave doctor and a strong voice for human rights, especially for women. She has worked to protect people's rights in Afghanistan and around the world.
From 2001 to 2003, she was the Minister of Women's Affairs in Afghanistan. This role meant she worked to improve the lives of women in her country. She also led the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) for many years. From 2005 to 2009, she was a special expert for the United Nations on human rights in Sudan.
In 2012, Sima Samar received the Right Livelihood Award. This award honored her long and brave work for human rights, especially for women, in a very challenging part of the world.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Sima Samar was born on February 3, 1957, in a place called Jaghori, in the Ghazni Province of Afghanistan. She is part of the Hazara ethnic group.
She studied medicine at Kabul University and became a doctor in February 1982. She started working at a government hospital in Kabul. However, after a few months, she had to leave for her own safety. She went back to her hometown of Jaghori. There, she helped many people by providing medical care in remote areas of central Afghanistan.
Helping Others
In 1984, Sima Samar's husband was arrested. She and her young son had to leave Afghanistan and went to neighboring Pakistan. In Pakistan, she worked as a doctor at a hospital for refugees.
She saw that Afghan refugee women had very little access to healthcare. This made her want to help even more. So, in 1989, she started the Shuhada Organization and the Shuhada Clinic in Quetta, Pakistan.
The Shuhada Organization focused on giving healthcare to Afghan women and girls. It also trained medical staff and provided education. Over the next few years, more clinics and hospitals were opened by her organization across Afghanistan.
Working in Government
After living as a refugee for more than ten years, Sima Samar returned to Afghanistan in 2002. She joined the government that was being set up by Hamid Karzai.
She first served as Deputy President. Then, she became the Minister for Women's Affairs. She was the sixth woman to become a Cabinet Minister in Afghanistan. She was also the first Minister for Women's Affairs since the 1970s.
Sima Samar faced many challenges in her role. She had to step down from her position because she spoke out against certain traditional laws. She believed these laws were unfair to women. Some people criticized her strongly for her views.
Continuing Her Work
Even after leaving her government role, Sima Samar continued to fight for human rights. She led the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) from 2002 to 2019. This group works to protect human rights in Afghanistan.
In 2010, she also started the Gawharshad Institute of Higher Education. This school has helped many students get an education.
Sima Samar has always spoken out against practices that limit women's freedom. For example, she believes women should not be forced to stay hidden from public view. She also speaks against the practice of wearing the burqa, a head-to-foot covering. She pointed out that wearing the burqa can reduce sunlight exposure, which can lead to health problems for women.
In 2019, the United Nations Secretary-General chose Sima Samar to be part of a special group. This group works on helping people who have been forced to leave their homes within their own country.
Awards and Recognition
Sima Samar has received many international awards for her important work. These awards recognize her efforts in human rights and promoting democracy.
Some of her notable awards include:
- The 1994 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership.
- The 2001 John Humphrey Freedom Award from Canada.
- The 2004 Profile in Courage Award.
- The 2012 Right Livelihood Award.
- The 2012 Mother Teresa Awards for Social Justice.
- An Honorary Doctorate from Salem State University in 2013.
- A Finalist award for the Allard Prize for International Integrity in 2013.
Her work was also featured in a 2004 documentary called Daughters of Afghanistan. This film showed her time as the Minister of Women's Affairs and the challenges she faced.
See also
In Spanish: Sima Samar para niños
