Afghan Biographies

Mazari, Salima Mrs.


Name Mazari, Salima Mrs.
Ethnic backgr. Hazara
Date of birth 1982
Function/Grade Ex Chief Charkint District Balkh Province
History and Biodata

2. Previous Function:
Chief Charkint Chaharkint District Balkh Province (20180601, 20190706, 20201006)

3. Biodata:
Mrs. Salima Mazari was born 1982 in Balkh Province. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and working as a clerk in a private university in the city, Mazari has the unique distinction of being the first urban CDC Chairperson in the CCAP. She was first elected from her neighbourhood as a CDC Member, and was soon elected (from among 20 elected CDC members) to be the first Chairperson of the Karte Alichopan/ District #10 CDC of Mazar-e-Sharif. Her election as a CDC Chairperson is a sign of excellent mobilization of the community by the FP, of changing norms and trends in gender roles, and of the community’s recognition and acceptance of her leadership skills.On being confirmed as the CDC Chairperson, Mazari explained: “I had heard of the Citizens’ Charter and wanted very much to be part of the Program but never expected to be elected Chairperson! I’m very proud and happy to serve my community in this responsibility they have entrusted me!” She also elaborated that the community she represents is in bad need of repairs to existing roads and some new road constructions as well. She looks forward to working with her community to address their collective development priorities. She is a master's degree holder and returned home from Iran and managed to work for many offices in the country. She is a civil servant and prominent artist, now the new District Governor of Charkent in Balkh Province. (20180601)

Mazari, a female district governor in male-dominated Afghanistan, is on a mission -- recruiting men to fight the Taliban. Half the district Mazari nominally governs is already under Taliban control, so she spends a lot of time recruiting fighters to defend the rest. (20210806)

Salima Mazari was captured by the Taliban. (20210818)

She is married and mother of three children.

Other sources report different vita background details:
Mazari was born in Iran in 1980, after her family fled the Soviet war in Afghanistan. After graduating from university in Tehran, she held different roles at universities and the International Organization for Migration, before deciding to head to the country her parents left decades ago. “The most painful thing about being a refugee is the lack of sense of your country,” she says. “No place is your country.”

Last Modified 2021-09-04
Established 2019-07-06