Despite being out of the public eye, Zinat Karzai has met a number of other visiting first ladies.

BBC: Zinat Karzai, Afghanistan's 'invisible' first lady

Zinat Karzai's lack of visibility has prompted criticism from some Afghans, especially the younger generation, that she is not doing enough to stand up for women's rights and to set a positive example.

BBC: Zinat Karzai, Afghanistan's 'invisible' first lady