Zarifa Ghafari is an Afghan activist and politician. In November 2019, she became the mayor of Maidan Shahr, capital city of the Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Zarifa used to be one of the few Afghanistani female mayors, and also was the youngest to be appointed at the age of 26. She is known for her efforts to advance women's rights in Afghanistan. Zarifa was chosen as an International Woman of Courage in 2020 by the US Secretary of State. She has survived three assassination attempts.