Hepsexan was born in Sulaimaniya in 1891. She was a politician, philanthropist and women’s rights activist. She is the daughter of Meruf Berzanci and grandson of Ahmed Sheikh, cousin of Sheikh Mahmoud Barzanci and wife of Sheikh Qadir Hafid. Hepsekhan was brought up in this great Kurdish and scientific family and is one of the most famous women in Kurdistan. She was a well-known, intellectually gifted and Kurdish woman. Hepsexan educated the women of her time in literature and language and became a role model for women in her society. On July 28, 1930, the first women’s association called the “Kurdish African Association” (Kurdish Women’s Association) was founded under the leadership of Naqib.
“As woman I am proud of the fact that there is no difference between men and women, especially among the Kurds, so I will continue,” said Hepsexana Naqib.
The famous woman Hepsexana Naqib passed away on April 12, 1953, at the age of 62 from cancer, in Sulaymaniyah.
