Ratebzad, Anahita (1931–)

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Ratebzad, Anahita (1931–)

Afghan physician and political leader. Born in 1931 in Guldara, Kabul province, Afghanistan; attended Chicago School of Nursing; Kabul University, MD, 1963; m. Dr. Qamaruddin Kakar (div.).

Was the 1st woman physician in the history of Afghanistan; was one of three successful female candidates for the Afghan Parliament (1965); founded the Democratic Women's Organization (1965), a branch of the Marxist-inspired People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), and was the highest-ranking woman member within the PDPA; for a brief period, was minister of Social Affairs and Tourism, but was purged when another faction took power; under regime of Babrak Karmal, served as minister of Education (1980–81) and was elected to the ruling PDPA Politburo; also was caretaker of the Ministries of Information and Culture, Higher and Vocational Education, and Public Health; was a member of the Revolutionary Council's Presidium (1981–88); after 1990, with emergence of the Taliban movement, withdrew from public life.

See also Women in World History.