Shukria Barakzai

AOPNEWS | November 22, 2015

Shukria Barakzai, a member of the Wolesi Jirga (Afghan parliament’s lower house) has been appointed as Afghanistan’s ambassador to Norway, Afghan media is reporting today. Barakzai is well known in the media as an outspoken female lawmaker pushing for women’s rights. However, after the death of Mullah Omar, she did confuse many when she went on an Afghan TV channel, wearing all black, mourning the Taliban leader’s death. She even referred to him as a mujahid. During the Taliban rule, women were extremely oppressed. Barakzai also backed Ashraf Ghani for president in the recent elections. It appears her loyalty has been rewarded.