
Outspoken
My Fight for Freedom and Human Rights in Afghanistan
Sima Samar(Author)
Sally Armstrong(Co-Author)
Saqi Books (Publisher)
Published on 12. March 2024
Book
Hardback
352 pages
978-0-86356-898-5 (ISBN)
Description
Sima Samar has been fighting for equality and justice all her life. Born into a polygamous family, she learned early that girls had inferior status and had to agree to an arranged marriage to go to university. By the time she was in medical school, she was both a mother and a revolutionary. Samar's work as a doctor for those most desperate for help - namely women in far flung, mountainous regions - put her in grave personal danger. After her husband was disappeared by the pro-Russian regime, she faced a choice: accept the injustices she saw around her or fight for a better Afghanistan.
Despite numerous death threats and decades of catastrophic warfare, Samar has worked tirelessly for the dream she is convinced is achievable: justice and human rights for all citizens of Afghanistan.
In this poignant and inspiring memoir - the first inside story of Afghanistan by a woman - Samar provides an unparalleled view of her country's past, present and extremely fragile future.
Despite numerous death threats and decades of catastrophic warfare, Samar has worked tirelessly for the dream she is convinced is achievable: justice and human rights for all citizens of Afghanistan.
In this poignant and inspiring memoir - the first inside story of Afghanistan by a woman - Samar provides an unparalleled view of her country's past, present and extremely fragile future.
Reviews / Votes
'Memoirs don't come much more inspirational than this...Acknowledging that "most of the world sees us as a people at war", Samar carefully balances a steely indictment of her country's repressive tendencies with an affection for her heritage. It's a crucial complement to American narratives about Afghanistan.' * Publisher's Weekly * 'Illuminating. . . . Sima Samar relates the embattled history of Afghanistan with lucid facts personalized with deeply felt impressions about her homeland's perpetual unrest. The author opens readers' eyes to the harsh realities of life for Afghan women. . . . Vital. . . . Samar's lifelong legacy of resistance and resilience is palpably present in this memorable self-portrait.' * Kirkus Reviews *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
34 b&w illustrations, 1 map; 35 Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 218 mm
Width: 139 mm
Thickness: 36 mm
Weight
462 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-86356-898-5 (9780863568985)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
03/2024
Saqi Books
€9.59
Available for download
Persons
Sima Samar is a globally renowned women's and human rights activist and doctor from Afghanistan. She established the Shuhada Organization that operated more than one hundred schools and dozens of hospitals and clinics in the country. She served as Minister of Women's Affairs of Afghanistan and is the former chair of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission. She was formerly the UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Sudan. She is currently a visiting scholar at Tufts University's Fletcher School
Sally Armstrong is an award-winning author, journalist and human rights activist.
Sally Armstrong is an award-winning author, journalist and human rights activist.