Women for Afghan Women: Shattering Myths and Claiming the Future

By: Mehta, Sunita

Book Overview

Women for Afghan Women: Shattering Myths and Claiming the Future is a collaborative attempt to write history, to bring greater awareness to the issues of Afghanistan and Afghan women, and to promote the agency of Afghan women in issues that impact their lives. The book includes a variety of female voices, highlighting a unifying desire to come together as women and share, network, and strategize for change. This desire is focused on Afghan women but is also about global sisterhood and about the importance of feminist activism on an international level. "Women for Afghan Women," a group comprised of both Afghan and non-Afghan women, was formed in April 2001 and is committed to the struggle for Afghan women's human rights.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1403960178
• ISBN13: 9781403960177
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.8" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

the view of afghan women

I recently read this book and was most impressed by the honesty of many of the Afghan women, as well as the essays which clarified what the Q'uran says about women. As far as Islam goes, it is very important to make a distinction between theology and culture. Many of the things that that non-Muslims view as unacceptable (with respect to women)in the Muslim world are based on cultural practices not the Q'uran. Afghan women have been clear in this book in stating that although they want the support of women worldwide, that they must be the ones to determine the direction of the women's movement in Afghanistan. It is critical to the sucess of such a movement that it develop within a cultural and religious framework that is appropriate to them. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Kabul from 1977-79 and hold both Afghanistan and it's people close to my heart. We must support their efforts toward rebuilding their country, but remember, it is their country!Caryn Giles Lawson

Clearing up the Afghan Woman Myth

For anyone who thinks Afghan women are a group of uneducated, oppressed, passive women, this book is a must read. Educated, thoughtful, and fiercely passionate Afghan women write in their own words what their struggles have been, and how they will overcome them.

MUST buy!

I bought this book and could not put it down! It is truly riveting, emotional, informative, and very empowering! I think it's wonderful that the author provided a forum for all points of view and experiences to be shared - it really is a diverse collection of voices and stories. And finally - an opportunity to hear directly from Afghan women and those committed to their causes! A MUST buy for anyone passionate about women's issues, international human rights, and humanity in general!

So very needed

This collection is very needed since it bridges constituencies and perspective which are often pitted against each other but in the end are allcommitted to one thing - the self-determination of Afghan women. Great photo essay as well.

Why Women for Afghan Women is A MUST READ!!

This book provides an excellent overview of the lives of Afghan women both in and outside of Afghanistan. It is an important book to read because it illustrates (from the perspective of several women from different backgrounds and experiences) the essential role of women in the future of Afghanistan. The political and social activism of these women as well as their strength and overall commitment to human rights, which MUST include women, is nothing short of exceptional! This book also speaks to the diversity of the Afghan people and the misconceptions of women and Islam as well as the corruption of the Muslim religion by fundamentalists and many Americans who easily point to Islam as "the problem" without looking at the larger complexities of U.S. Afghan relations and the role the U.S. government has played in helping to create the devastation of Afghanistan under the Taliban and other fundamentalist regimes such as the Northern Alliance. This book provides a unique glimpse into the work of women outside the structure of governments and the importance of international feminist networks for collective action to provide assistance, security, education, and political agency to women in Afghanistan. Other activist projects can also learn much from these tremendous women. I cannot stress how important it is to read this book because as the title pronounces, it shatters the myths regarding the plight of Afghan women and provides THEIR PLAN FOR THEIR FUTURE! The women in this book need to be heard and understood, their voices are of paramount importance.