In part one of our episode on "Afghanistan and Women," Dr. Massouda Jalal discusses her medical career, her extensive political career, and the famous race for the Office of the Presidency. Dr. Jalal recounts the threats from the Taliban and living in exile in Europe, all while preserving her commitment to human rights in her home country.

Dr. Jalal was the first woman to run for the Office of the President in the history of Afghanistan and, after placing 6th in the 2004 race, served in the first government after the fall of the Taliban that year. A graduate of Kabul Medical University, she has worked at the World Food Programme and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees offices in Afghanistan. She is an icon in her country and has fought for women across the world. In 2010, Dr. Jalal was awarded the UN Human Rights Global Prize.