Suraya Pakzad is the head Voice of Women Organization (VWO) formed by afghan women, offering legal assistance to afghan women victims of extreme violence. Founded in 1998, VWO has several shelter houses for battered women in the west of Afghanistan. It is one of the few organisations fighting actively against children marriage for girls, trafficking of women and sexual abuse. In addition, this organisation is supporting women who tried to commit suicide by burning themselves. Pakzad has received several prizes, for instance in 2008 the prize Women of Courage. In 2009 Time magazine considered she was among the hundred persons more influential in the world.
