While meeting with her provincial council colleagues in the city of Zaranj on the Afghanistan-Iranian border, Gul Maki Wakhali was killed by a Taliban bullet.  An active member of two social movements promoting the civic engagement of youth and women, Gul Maki was successfully elected to the Nimruz provincial council in August 2009 while only in her early 20s. Her infectious enthusiasm and dedication helped her overcome age and gender constraints to political activism in the traditional environment of Afghanistan, making her a role model and inspiration for Afghans throughout her province. 

The Nimruz provincial council was conducting its regular business meeting May 5, 2010, when approximately 10 Taliban attempted to gain access to the official provincial compound located in Zaranj.  As Afghan police and provincial council security personnel attempted to secure the compound and repel the attackers, an intense crossfire from automatic weapons broke out.  Gul Maki was shot during the firefight and was unable to be transported to the hospital in time to save her life. 

News of her death spread immediately among her friends and constituents.  She will be remembered in part for her efforts to establish the Nimruz provincial chapters of the Afghan Youth and National Social Organization (AYNSO) and Movement of Afghan Sisters (MAS). 

Establishment of organizations in Nimruz, dedicated to the advancement of the causes of youth and women was not easy and required diplomatic negotiations with community elders to gain a foothold.  Gul Maki was expert at promoting the causes of the underrepresented and convincing others they too should join her.  Perseverance by Gul Maki to found AYNSO and MAS chapters and build their capacity in the months that followed, has enabled the Nimruz chapters to be among the strongest and most active in Afghanistan. 

Members of both groups have been asked to participate in the Consultative Peace Jirga scheduled to occur in Kabul later this month.  The groups will continue to promote the interests of women and youth and take an active role in parliamentary elections scheduled for September. 

The memory of Gul Maki and her commitment to both groups will not be forgotten.  “Gul Maki’s work will continue.  We want you to know that our commitment has not disappeared with her,” her family told MAS chairwoman, Humaira Haqmal.  “We will now work harder with our brothers and sisters in AYNSO and MAS to reach a brighter future for Afghanistan,” said her two younger sisters.

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