Soraya Tarzi

Afghanistan's progressive queen who modernized gender policies and advocated for women's rights in the 1920s.

Queen Soraya Tarzi (1899–1968), wife of King Amanullah Khan, was a transformative force in early 20th-century Afghanistan. Born in Syria to an Afghan reformist family, she became the country's first queen consort to appear publicly without a veil, co-sign legislation, and advocate for women's education. Her reforms included banning child marriage, abolishing polygamy for government officials, and establishing the first girls' school, Masturat School, in Kabul.

In 1926, Soraya famously declared, 'Independence belongs to all of us,' during a speech urging women to participate in national building. She and Amanullah launched a constitutional monarchy, drafting Afghanistan's first constitution in 1923, which included provisions for women's rights. Their European-inspired modernization, however, faced backlash from conservative factions, leading to their exile in 1929.

Despite the brevity of her reign, Soraya's impact endured. Scholars like Nancy Dupree credit her with planting the seeds for Afghanistan's later feminist movements. Her life remains a testament to the challenges and triumphs of advocating for gender equality in traditionally patriarchal societies.