Islam Bibi was a female police officer in Afghanistan in the Helmand province Headquarters and also a pioneer in the fight for feminism. She was the highest ranking policewoman at the time of her death in Afghanistan and led operations against the Talibans. She received numerous death threats and was assassinated on July 4, 2013.
Life
Bibi was born in Kunduz province in 1974. She was a refugee in Iran when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in the 1990s. She returned to Afghanistan in 2001, then set about raising her family at home before joining the police against her family's will. This prompted her brother who tried to kill her because he wanted to save the honor of the surname. Bibi joined the police force in 2003 and quickly moved to the position of second lieutenant reporting directly to CID leadership which was an extraordinary achievement. She was the highest-ranking policewoman at that time and received many death threats. She led one of the largest police female squadrons in Afghanistan that chases after the Taliban, searching for costumed suicide bombers in burqas. They were first to break into any house during a search in women's areas where male police officers are not allowed. As police officers, they cover their faces with black scarves, wear thick boots, and in some cases choose to wear men's uniforms. Human Rights Watch says that female police officers often experience sexual harassment and verbal abuse by their male counterparts, in part because they lack even basic facilities. There are very few female restrooms at all police stations in Afghanistan, and women who use men's restrooms are highly vulnerable to harassment.
Death
Bibi was shot when she left her home on the morning of July 4, 2013 as she was attacked while riding a motorcycle with her son-in-law in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province. She was wounded and died of injuries in the hospitalemergency room. No investigation has been launched to find out who was responsible for the shooting. She had 6 children.
