Shafiga Afandizade

Shafiga Efendizadeh (; March 19, 1883 – July 29, 1959) was an Azerbaijani women's right activists, educator and journalist. She was the author of numerous articles on the defense of women's rights and freedoms in the various publications including the "Ishig" newspaper, the "Azerbaijan" newspaper and the "Sharg gadini" magazine. Efendizadeh actively participated in the organization of Ali Bayramov Club, the first club for women in Azerbaijan.

Shafiga Efendizadeh was the first Azerbaijani female journalist and publicist, and also the first teacher in the Transcaucasia to teach the Azerbaijani language. It is also said that she was the first female employee of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic government. She received her early education at home, alongside her younger sister. In 1896, her family moved to Nukha, where at the age of 14, Shafiga began teaching in a class established for girls by her father. Later, she took exams at the Religious Council of the Caucasus and at the III Aleksandrovski Men's Gymnasium in Baku, obtaining a certificate to teach Turkish language and Sharia law at elementary schools.

Career Shafiga Efendizadeh began her journalistic career in 1903 with an article titled "Maarifpərvər rüf`ətli Məhəmməd Ağa Şaxtaxtinski hüzurialilərinə" published in the 7th issue of the "Shargi-Rus" newspaper. She also collaborated with the newspaper "Ishig" in 1911. It was Shafiga Efendizadeh who wrote the first review of Jalil Mammadguluzadeh's renowned work "The Corpses" in 1916. She had written an article about the play in the "Achig soz" newspaper.

In April 1917, a congress of Caucasian Muslims was held at the Ismailiyya building in Baku. Alongside individuals from various social strata, only three women participated: Sara Talıshinskaya, Shafiga Efendizadeh, and Sara Vazirova. Her speech sparked discussion because it was about the education of Eastern women, the opening of women's schools and theaters. where she also taught in courses. She worked as a teacher at the Darülmüəllimat (a pedagogical school preparing female teaching staff) from 1920 to 1926. Alongside her teaching duties, she continued her work in publicist activities during these years. In 1923, she was selected as a member of the editorial board of the "Sharg gadini" magazine, serving as its editor and head of the literary department. Shafiga Efendizadeh was appointed as a member of the Central Executive Committee of Azerbaijan SSR in 1923. Among her students were notable figures such as Ayna Sultanova and Mirvarid Dilbazi.

Selected stories of Shafiga Efendizadeh, including "Two Orphans, or Karim's Community" and "The Doorman's Daughter," as well as excerpts from her "Memories" preserved at the Fuzuli Manuscripts Institute of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, have been compiled into a book titled "Selected Works of Shafiga Efendizadeh (1903–1925)."