Shakofa Barakzi

Shakofa Barakzi, a Ph.D. Political Science scholar from Afghanistan, is currently “Coordinator of Social Activities and Communication” for a mentorship project at the University of Turin in Italy. She began this role in March 2022, following the political transformation in her home country.

Shakofa advocates for human equality, valuing diversity, for the betterment for all people as a crucial step towards global positive change. Since the political changes in her country, she has focused with colleagues to create a safe educational environment for the deprived girls in Afghanistan and undertaken the role of Director of International Operations with the Mother International Institute of Empowerment.  

During her Bachelor’s studies in Law and Political Science, Shakofa worked as  “Assistant Lawyer” for the Legal Aid Organization of Afghanistan (LAOA) and as a “Trainer” with CECVI.  In 2012, she became “Expert in Social Science” at the Academic Research Center of Herat University. During her Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration at Kabul University, she became involved with the Ministry of Higher Education. Subsequently, in 2016, she began teaching Human Rights, Political Sciences, Trade Law, Administrative Law, and Management, at Herat University and Alghyas University.

In Afghanistan, Shakofa joined the C4A/Afghan British counsel and volunteered as the “Head of the Advocacy Committee” for the Democratic Stability High Council of Herat Province (DSHCP) and as a “Civil Society Activist” with the Social Transformation Organization (STO). She was elected for the Peace Loya Jirga in 2019 and 2020.

Upon arriving in Italy, Shakofa Barakzi established a legal community for Afghan refugees and, in June 2023, founded the “Afghan Solidarity Association” (ASA) with fellow professionals. As the president of ASA, she is an active advocate for refugee rights. Her aspiration is for women to unite in their fight for rights, and appeals to the world to protect women’s dreams from becoming casualties of political manoeuvring.

During her bachelor’s studies in law and political science, Shakofa worked as an “Assistant Lawyer” for the Legal Aid Organization of Afghanistan (LAOA) and as a “Trainer” with CECVI. In 2012, she began her position as an “Expert in Social Science” at the Academic Research Center of Herat University. While pursuing her master’s degree in public policy and administration at Kabul University, she was involved in the Ministry of Higher Education during her master’s. Subsequently, in 2016, she began teaching various subjects, including Human Rights, Political Sciences, Trade Law, Administrative Law, and Management, at Herat University and Alghyas University, while continuing her role at the academic research center.

Additionally, in Afghanistan, Shakofa is a member of the C4A/Afghan British counsel and volunteered as the “Head of the Advocacy Committee” for the Democratic Stability High Council of Herat Province (DSHCP) and as a “Civil Society Activist” with the Social Transformation Organization (STO). She participated in several programs, including elected for the Peace Loya Jirga in 2019 and 2020. Upon arriving in Italy, she felt compelled to establish a legal community for Afghan refugees and, in June 2023, she founded the “Afghan Solidarity Association” (ASA) with a group of fellow professionals. As the president of ASA, she is an active advocate for refugee rights. Her aspiration is for women to unite in their fight for rights and appeals to the world to protect women’s dreams from becoming casualties of political maneuvering.