Zarifa Ghafari (Pashto: ظریفه غفاری‎; born 1992)[1] is an Afghan activist and politician.[2][3] In November 2019, she became the mayor of Maidan Shahr, capital city of the Wardak Province, Afghanistan.[4] Zarifa used to be one of the few Afghanistani female mayors, and also was the youngest to be appointed at the age of 26.[5] She is known for her efforts to advance women's rights in Afghanistan.[6] Zarifa was chosen as an International Woman of Courage in 2020 by the US Secretary of State.[7] She has survived three assassination attempts.[8]