Born: 1980s
Biography:
Amina Azimi, born in Afghanistan in the 1980s, is an advocate for disabled women’s rights in her country. Her life has been shaped by the ongoing Afghan Civil War, which resulted in a tragic loss for her at a young age. At the tender age of 11, Azimi lost her right leg when a rocket propelled grenade struck her home. This devastating event placed her in the large group of disabled Afghans, in a country where disability rates are amongst the highest in the world.
Azimi’s disability posed numerous challenges for her, starting with her education. As she tried to return to school, she encountered various barriers that prevented her from receiving an education alongside her peers. Discrimination against disabled individuals further exacerbated her struggles when she actively sought employment.
Determined to address the discrimination and lack of opportunities faced by disabled women in Afghanistan, Azimi became a champion for their rights. In 2007, she founded the Women with Disabilities Advocacy Committee (WAAC), an organization dedicated to advocating for disabled women’s rights and inclusivity in Afghan society. Recognizing the importance of empowerment, Azimi established the Empowering Women with Disabilities organization (EWD) in 2011. Through these organizations, she works tirelessly to empower disabled women and enable them to fully participate in society.
Azimi’s work has not gone unnoticed. In 2012, she was honored with the N-Peace Award as an Emerging Peace Champion. This prestigious award recognized her outstanding efforts to promote peace and empower disabled women in Afghanistan. As an advocate, Azimi focuses particularly on the elimination of discrimination against landmine survivors. She utilized her platform as a presenter and journalist for the radio program called Qahir-e-Qahraman to bring attention to this pressing issue. Supported initially by UNDP’s National Programme for Action on Disability and later by the UN Mine Action Center for Afghanistan and Internews, Azimi continues to advocate for the rights and well-being of landmine survivors.
Today, Azimi is actively involved in the Afghan Landmine Survivors’ Organization (ALSO) and continues to fight for the rights of disabled women in Afghanistan. Her work serves as an inspiration to others, proving that disability does not define one’s capabilities or limit their potential. Azimi’s dedication, resilience, and determination have made a significant impact on the lives of disabled women in Afghanistan, leaving a lasting legacy in the history of women’s rights.
Awards:
– 2012 N-Peace Award as an Emerging Peace Champion.