Safia Amajan

Safia Amajan (1941–25 September 2006), also spelt Ama-jan, Ama Jan, Ahmed-jan and Ahmed Jan, was an

educator, politician, and critic of the Taliban's suppression of women.^[1]

Amajan worked as teacher and principal in Kandahar prior to the rise of the Taliban in 1996.^[2] During the subsequent Taliban regime, during which all girls' schools were closed, Amajan secretly taught girls in her home.^[3]

Following the defeat of the Taliban in 2001, Amajan served as the provincial director for the Ministry of Women's Affairs' office in Kandahar Province, a role she held from 2002 until her death. During her tenure, Amajan opened multiple vocational colleagues, training hundreds of women in trades including baking and tailoring.^[2]

On 25 September 2006, Amajan was shot four times and killed in front of her home in Kandahar by two men on a motorcycle.

Afghan government to provide her with personal bodyguards in light of death threats from Taliban-led insurgents, but her request had been rejected.^[5]^[1] Amajan's murder was condemned by Hamid Karzai, then-President of Afghanistan, and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.^[2] Following her death, an alleged Taliban spokesperson stated Amajan's death had been in response to her working for the government.^[6]

Amajan was survived by her son, Naqibullah.[2]^[5]