Malalai Bahaduri

Malalai Bahaduri is, as of 2013, a Second Lieutenant, Afghan National Interdiction Unit (NIU), Senior Instructor. She worked as a telecommunications operator, but decided to join law enforcement in 2002, after Taliban rule of Afghanistan ended. She was threatened with death and physically abused by an uncle who objected to her doing so. She is the first female member of the Afghan National Interdiction Unit. She has participated in counternarcotics operations in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan.

She received a 2013 International Women of Courage award.