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Mobina Jaffer
Senator at Senate of Canada
Mobina S. B. Jaffer is a former Canadian Senator representing British Columbia.1 Born in Uganda on August 20, 1949, she is the first Muslim to be appointed to the upper house, as well as the first senator who was born in Africa, and the first of South Asian descent.14 She retired on August 20, 2024, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75.1 Her LinkedIn username is mobina-jaffer-65289649.3
Jaffer's family, who belonged to the Nizari Khoja community, fled Uganda in 1972 after her father, a member of the Parliament of Uganda, was warned of an impending threat to his life.1 The entire Jaffer family became refugees when Idi Amin expelled the Asian population, and they sought refuge in Canada.14
Jaffer earned a Bachelor of Laws from London University in 1972.5 In 1978, she became the first South Asian woman to practice law in Canada.267
Key highlights of Jaffer's career and accomplishments include:
- Political Roles: She served as a Vice-President of the Liberal Party of Canada from 1994 to 1998 and as President of the National Women's Liberal Commission from 1998 to 2003.1
- Special Envoy: In 2002, she was appointed Special Envoy to the Peace Process in Sudan by the Government of Canada, a role she held until 2006.15 She also chaired the Canadian Committee on Women, Peace & Security.1
- Senate Appointment: Jaffer was appointed to the Canadian Senate on June 13, 2001, on the advice of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.158 Initially a Liberal, she later became an Independent Senator and joined the Independent Senators Group.14
- Committees: She sat on several Standing Senate Committees, including those on National Security and Defence, Finance, and Human Rights.15
- Awards & Recognition: Jaffer was named one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network in 2003 and 2004.5 In 2014, she received the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award.1
- Advocacy: Throughout her career, Jaffer has been a strong advocate for women's rights, children's rights, and linguistic bilingualism.56


