A living hub for the people of Palestine — those who shaped it, and those who stood with it.

Suggest a profile
Portrait of Zahira Kamal

Zahira Kamal

Pioneering Palestinian Female Leader

Born
1945
Born in
Wadi al-Joz, East Jerusalem, Mandatory Palestine
Read Zahira’s story2 videosAsk about Zahira

Why Zahira is here

Zahira Kamal is a groundbreaking Palestinian politician and activist who has dedicated her life to advocating for women's rights and the Palestinian cause, becoming the first woman to lead a Palestinian political party.

Their story

Zahira Kamal is a Palestinian activist and politician, recognized as a leading figure in the struggle for Palestinian women's rights and national liberation. She has held various prominent roles, including serving as the Minister of Women's Affairs in the Palestinian Authority and becoming the first female leader of a Palestinian political party. Her work has significantly impacted the political landscape in Palestine, particularly in advancing gender equality and representing Palestinian voices in international forums.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Zahira’s path.

  1. 1979-1986

    Placed under town arrest by Israeli authorities for her activism, making her the longest-held woman in town arrest in the history of the Israeli occupation, which solidified her determination to pursue a political career.

  2. 1991

    Served as a member of the Palestinian delegation to the Madrid Peace Conference, one of only three women on the advisory committee, marking her entry into high-level international negotiations.

  3. 1992-1997

    Headed the Women’s Affairs Technical Committee, leading initiatives to eliminate discrimination against women and promoting their participation in Palestinian society.

  4. 2003-2006

    Appointed as the first Minister of Women’s Affairs in the Palestinian Authority, where she implemented policies to improve the status of women in Palestine.

  5. 2011

    Elected FIDA secretary-general on 20 April 2011, becoming the first woman to lead a Palestinian political faction.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Advocacy for Palestinian Women's Rights

    Zahira Kamal has been at the forefront of advocating for the rights and empowerment of Palestinian women, both within the occupied territories and in the diaspora.

    Watch

  2. Political Leadership

    As the first female leader of a Palestinian political party, she has paved the way for greater female participation in Palestinian politics.

    Watch

  3. International Representation

    She has represented Palestine in various international forums, including the Madrid Peace Conference, highlighting the Palestinian struggle and the role of women in it.

  4. Educational and Social Development

    Established the Gender Planning and Development Directorate in the Palestinian Ministry of Planning, focusing on integrating gender perspectives in national development plans.

  5. Cultural and Historical Preservation

    Through her leadership roles, including her work with UNESCO projects, she has been instrumental in preserving Palestinian cultural and historical narratives, particularly those related to women.

Ask about Zahira

Curious about something? An AI guide answers from Zahira’s profile.

Zahira’s guide AI

Answers come from Zahira’s profile on this page. It isn’t Zahira, and it can make mistakes.

What would you like to know about Zahira?

Ask in your own words about Zahira’s early life, work, the moments that shaped them, or their legacy. The guide answers only from this profile, so if something isn’t covered, it will tell you.

AI-generated from this profile. Spotted something wrong? Correct or add information.

Watch & listen

Zahira in interviews, talks and coverage.

  • 01Advocacy for Palestinian Women's Rights↗

  • 02Political Leadership↗

Further reading

Something wrong or missing?

Help improve Zahira Kamal’s profile. Send a correction, a source, a photo or missing information. An editor checks every update before publication.

Correct or add information

Keep exploring

More faces from Activism

All 39 in Activism