Suraya Pakzad

Suraya Pakzad (Dari: ثریا پاکزاد) is an Afghan women's rights activist.

[1] In 1998 she founded the organization Voice of Women, which began by teaching girls how to read, and now provides women with shelter, counseling, and job training.

[4][3][2] In fact, on two occasions, the girls being taught to read had to burn their books for fear of being caught.

[2] Pakzad received an International Women of Courage Award from the US Secretary of State, and a “Malali Medal” from the President of Afghanistan, both in 2008.

[6] In 2010 she received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an honorary Associate of Arts degree from Burlington County College, as well as the Clinton Global Citizen Award.