Zarifa Ghafari  Zarifa Ghafari () is an Afghan advocate, activist, politician and entrepreneur. She is the current mayor of Maidan Shahr, capital city of the Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Zarifa is one of the few Afghanistani female mayors, and also is the youngest to be appointed at the age of 26. She is known for her efforts in empowering women's rights in Afghanistan. Zarifa was chosen as an International Woman of Courage in 2020 by the US Secretary of State. She attended Halima Khazan High School in Paktia Province for her primary education and pursued her higher studies at the University of Punjab. She was officially appointed as the mayor of Maidan Shahr in July 2018 by the incumbent President Ashraf Ghani. However, her term as mayor of Maiden Shahr had to be delayed for a period of nine months due to intervention of other powerful politicians. On her very first day as mayor, she faced harassment from a group of men who mobbed her office and warned her to resign from the position. She also faced death threats from Taliban and ISIL after assuming her duties as mayor. Zarifa was sworn in as mayor of the Maidan Shahr in March 2019. Zarifa was able to introduce an anti-litter campaign in her town and she is a role model to other women. She was listed in 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2019 by BBC. Zarifa was chosen as an International Woman of Courage in 2020 by the US Secretary of State.