Former Female Afghan Politician Murdered By Gunmen
A former Afghan politician and her bodyguard were killed in a nighttime attack on her home in Kabul, the capital city.
Mursal Nabizada was a lawmaker in the government that was toppled by the Taliban in August 2021. This government had been supported by the United States.
"Nabizada, along with one of her bodyguards, was shot dead at her house," Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said on Sunday. "The security forces have started a serious investigation into the incident," he said, adding that a brother of the former politician was also wounded in the attack, which took place during the night between Saturday and Sunday.
An ex-politician, Mariam Solaimankhil, called Nabizada a "fearless champion for Afghanistan" on Twitter.
She described her as a "true trailblazer" and an "outspoken, strong woman who stood for what she believed in even in the face of danger."
She went on to say that even though "she was offered the chance to leave Afghanistan," she opted to stay and fight for her people instead.
The 32-year-old had been elected to represent Kabul in parliament after growing up in the eastern province of Nangarhar.
A member of the European Parliament named Hannah Neumann tweeted, "I am sad and angry and want the world to know!" after the murder.
"She was killed in darkness, but the Taliban build their system of gender apartheid in full daylight."
Over the past two decades, women in Afghanistan have held a variety of high-profile positions, including those of judge, journalist, and politician.
However, since the return of the Taliban to power, many women in these professions have fled the country.
Authorities under the Taliban have rapidly pushed women out of almost all spheres of public life, including secondary and higher education, public sector work, and even the use of public parks.