Shukria Asil
Shukria Asil (Arabic: شكرية أصيل)is an Afghan women's rights activist.[1] In 2009, she succeeded in reversing the firing of three women teachers in Baghlan, who had been fired due to negative information being published about them by the Ministry of Education.[2] As of 2010 she serves as one of four female members of the Baghlan Provincial Council, and as of 2012 she is the head of the Baghlan Provincial Culture and Information Department.[2][3]
Asil also intervened in the case of a girl rejected by her family for being gang-raped, successfully reuniting the family, although the provincial governor had discouraged her from doing so.[2] Her other work for women's rights includes creating networking groups for women, leading the fight for women's driving schools, and expanding educational opportunities for young girls.[4]
She has faced threats of kidnapping and death for her work, and had to change her address at least once.[4][2]
She received a 2010 International Women of Courage Award.[1]