Expertise in: Healthcare services for women in Afghanistan

Seema Ghani was born and raised in Afghanistan but went into exile during the Communist regime. She completed her higher education in the UK, taking advantage of the opportunity of living abroad. 

Seema returned to Afghanistan in 2002 after the fall of the Taliban. During the following 20 years, she worked across three sectors—government, civil society/NGO, and private sector—carrying out reforms and setting up policies. While with the government, she managed the country's budget as Director General of Budget at the Ministry of Finance, became Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Finance, and also worked as Deputy Minister of Labour Affairs in 2011. 

Seema is a volunteer vice president of two NGOs: the Afghan Family Guidance Association (affiliated with IPPF), which works for reproductive rights and health, and another organization focused on girls' education.