Dr. Atefa Faqerzad is the head of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Malalai Hospital. She is from Afghanistan, but as a female doctor experienced a lot of difficulty working there. In 1993 she lost two brothers, and the Jehadis looted her house in Kabul and ordered her not to work. She and her husband moved to rural areas to continue working. There they still encountered trouble from the Jihadis and from the Taliban, but the people encouraged her and helped her to continue working. She treated women and girls who were brutally treated by the Taliban, including a nine-year-old who had been raped.
Although she is dedicated to Afghanistan and received a higher salary there, she moved to work at Malalai Hospital at RAWA's invitation. She has been at the hospital since its inception. She believes she can help people more effectively here, and she supports RAWA's political work and its attempt to bring lasting change and improvement in the status of women.
Dr. Faqerzad's husband, a pediatrician, also works at the hospital. They have a daughter, Homira, who is four years old, and a son, Edris, who is three. Dr. Faqerzad expresses heartfelt thanks to those who support the hospital. She intends to continue working there as long as it is running.
