# Manizha Bakhtari

Manizha Bakhtari (Persian: منیژه باختری) is an Afghan diplomat, author and journalist renowned for her contributions to the country's literary and political landscape. She is currently the Afghan ambassador to Austria, leading one of Afghanistan's most significant diplomatic representations. Bakhtari previously served as the country's ambassador to the Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Finland), as well as the chief of staff for Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Prior to her diplomatic career, Bakhtari served as a lecturer at Kabul University's Journalism Faculty, which is her alma mater. She is particularly recognized for her fight against gender discrimination and apartheid in Afghanistan, a cause to which she has dedicated her literary and professional careers. Her activism intensified in response to the Taliban's resurgence in 2021, during which she was outspoken about the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. She is one of the few women in the country to have been ranked ambassador, and has used her platform to advocate for international support and attention to the plight of Afghan women.

## Life and education

Bakhtari was born into a family deeply rooted in Afghanistan's rich cultural and intellectual heritage. Her father, Wasef Bakhtari, was a celebrated Afghan poet whose work significantly influenced modern Persian poetry. Her mother, Nooria Bakhtari, met Wasef when they were both studying Persian literature at Kabul University and where their shared passion for the subject brought them together. Their union created a rich environment for Manizha, exposing her to literary discourse from an early age.
Bakhtari loved to read and write and knew she wanted to pursue her studies in journalism. She was offered a spot in the highly sought-after faculty upon performing exceptionally well on her university entrance exams. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in journalism, graduating at the top of her class. In an effort by her academic advisors, she was invited to be accredited as a lecturer at the Faculty, an offer she could not accept until 2002 due to the first takeover of the Taliban.
Upon becoming a lecturer at Kabul University, Bakhtari identified a gap in the educational system, recognizing the need for a comprehensive and modern curriculum for Afghanistan's journalism students. This inspired her to write and publish her first research book Jahan-e Del Angize Khabar (Persian: جهان دل‌ انگیز خبر) and later Akhlaq wa Huquq dar Journalism (Persian: اخلاق و حقوق در ژورنالیزم). Her work became widely used across the Journalism Faculty at the time, contributing to the academic development of her students and enriching the academic field for journalism in the country.
In later years, Bakhtari decided to pursue a Master of Arts in Persian literature, while continuing in her position as a lecturer. At the same time, she was working with the Cooperation Center for Afghanistan (CCA), a non-governmental organization dedicated to various developmental initiatives in Afghanistan.

## Diplomatic career and fight against gender apartheid

In her current role, Bakhtari continues to foster strong bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Austria. She is also appointed as a non-resident ambassador and oversees the bilateral relations of the country with Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia and Lichtenstein. Bakhtari represents Afghanistan in key international organizations based in Vienna, including:
* Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)
* International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA)
* International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
* Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
* United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
* United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
In 2021, Bakhtari was recognized as an International Gender Champion in Vienna due to her work’s focus on women’s empowerment. She renewed Afghanistan's commitment as a member of the “Group of Friends for Women in Nuclear". Further, she is a new member of the Advisory Board of the GLO.ACT Women’s Network, an organization aimed at enhancing women's participation in combating trafficking and smuggling. In the 2021/2022 academic year, she became a mentor for the Women in International Security (WIIS) Austria’s Mentoring Programme, guiding a young Afghan woman towards a career in international diplomacy.
Bakhtari was awarded the White Ribbon Award by OSCE in 2024, in recognition of her exceptional efforts in promoting gender equality and her unwavering fight for the women of Afghanistan.
Bakhtari, together with some of her close friends, created a campaign called Dukhtaran (Persian: دختران) or Daughters to gather support for school-age girls in Afghanistan. Through this initiative, they have personally funded and sponsored at least 20 girls to continue their education, despite the challenges under Taliban rule.