List of Afghan women writers

This is a list of women writers who were born in Afghanistan or whose writings are closely associated with that country.

A

• Atia Abawi (born 1982), American author and television journalist of Afghan descent
• Lina AbiRafeh, Arab-American (non-Afghan) author of Gender and International Aid in Afghanistan
• Farida Ahmadi (born 1958), author speaker and women's rights activist, living in Norway
• Muqadasa Ahmadzai (born 1992/1993), poet, social activist, and politician
• Soraya Alekozei (born 1955), Afghan-born memoirist, interpreter, and veteran, based in Germany
• Najwa Alimi, journalist, humanitarian
• Shakaiba Sanga Amaj (1986–2007), assassinated journalist
• Zarghona Anaa (?–1772), poet
• Nadia Anjuman (1980–2005), poet
• Asma Rasmya (1877–?), editor, school principal, and feminist
• Najiba Ayubi journalist and activist

B

• Fevziye Rahgozar Barlas (born 1955), poet, and short story writer
• Babo Jan (fl. 1880), Afghan royal consort and poet
• Basira Joya (c.2001) news anchor for Zan TV and Ariana Television Network

D

• Maryam Durani (born 1987), activist, journalist,
• Ayesha Durrani (18th-century), poet

E

• Zohre Esmaeli (born 1985), author, model, and designer, based in Berlin

F

• Wahida Faizi (born 1994), journalist
• Khalida Furugh (born 1972), poet and academic

H

• Chékéba Hachemi (born 1974), writer and diplomat
• Rangina Hamidi (born 1978), writer, educator, social activist and politician
• Nadia Hashimi (born 1977), Afghan-American novelist and pediatrician

J

• Malalai Joya (born 1978), activist, writer, and a politician

K

• Fowzia Karimi author and illustrator
• Fawzia Koofi (born 1975) politician, memoirist and women's rights activist

M

• Maryam Mahboob (born 1955), author known for her writing on Afghan patriarchy and migrants
• Farzana Marie (born 1983 or 1984) American writer and Dari translator
• Saeeda Mahmood, journalist
• Horia Mosadiq, journalist, activist, and political analyst

N

• Fariba Nawa (born 1973), Afghan-born American freelance journalist

Q

• Homeira Qaderi (born 1980), writer, activist and educator

P

• Parween Pazhwak (born 1967), writer, poet, activist

R

• Fatima Rahimi (born 1992), Afghan-born Czech journalist and radio presenter
• Zohra Rasekh (1969–2025), Afghan doctor, women's rights activist and report writer
• Layla Sarahat Rushani (1952/1954–2004), Afghan-born poet, lived in Netherlands

S

• Sana Safi (born 1989), broadcast journalist
• Saira Shah, British of Afghan-descent author, reporter and documentary filmmaker
• Sahira Sharif, politician and founder of literary society Mirman Baheer
• Nafeesa Shayeq, journalist, feminist

T

• Nazo Tokhi (1651–1717), writer and poet

W

• Shaista Wahab, writer in Dari, librarian, and professor

Y

• Sakena Yacoobi (born 1949/1950), writer, and activist
• Elham Yaghoubian, writer, politician
• Gaisu Yari, human rights activist, women's rights activist, writer, blogger, and speaker
• Malala Yousafzai (born 1997) activist and author of I Am Malala

Z

• Zakia Zaki (c. 1972–2007), journalist
• Spôjmaï Zariâb (born 1949/1952), short story writer
• Maliha Zulfacar (born 1961), writer, professor, and was the ambassador of Afghanistan to Germany from 2006 to 2010.

See also

• List of Afghan women journalists
• List of women writers