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Shakar: A Woman's Journey from Afghanistan: Refugee to Cancer Pioneer
An Afghanistani Woman's Journey
'Fascinating…an enticingly interesting read' Baroness Warsi, former Foreign Office Senior Minister of State
Born in rural Afghanistan, Shakardokht Jafari became a refugee aged just six, after a harrowing half-year trek to Iran.
There, at twelve, she discovered she had been promised in marriage at birth to an older cousin. Resisting no fewer than three arranged marriages, she fought to choose her own husband, education and career, defying convention to study radiation technologies at Tehran University.
Returning to Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban, she was asked to re-establish a cancer facility in Kabul, which meant studying first for higher qualifications in the UK. With Islamist insurgency on the rise again, her lawyer husband fled to join her, driving a minicab to make ends meet.
The inventor of a method for improving outcomes of radiotherapy on cancer patients, Shakar has become one of Britain's leading medical entrepreneurs. Ironically, at the same time she has faced one of her biggest battles – to save her own health.
This remarkable woman, winner of a string of awards for business innovation, is also a leading campaigner for girls' education in Afghanistan. She tells her extraordinary story with disarming candour.
'Fascinating…an enticingly interesting read' Baroness Warsi, former Foreign Office Senior Minister of State
Born in rural Afghanistan, Shakardokht Jafari became a refugee aged just six, after a harrowing half-year trek to Iran.
There, at twelve, she discovered she had been promised in marriage at birth to an older cousin. Resisting no fewer than three arranged marriages, she fought to choose her own husband, education and career, defying convention to study radiation technologies at Tehran University.
Returning to Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban, she was asked to re-establish a cancer facility in Kabul, which meant studying first for higher qualifications in the UK. With Islamist insurgency on the rise again, her lawyer husband fled to join her, driving a minicab to make ends meet.
The inventor of a method for improving outcomes of radiotherapy on cancer patients, Shakar has become one of Britain's leading medical entrepreneurs. Ironically, at the same time she has faced one of her biggest battles – to save her own health.
This remarkable woman, winner of a string of awards for business innovation, is also a leading campaigner for girls' education in Afghanistan. She tells her extraordinary story with disarming candour.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 8, 2023
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 3, 2023
I bought this book because I know of the author through my work, though I have never met her. Her story of her upbringing in Afghanistan and Iran, and her adult and professional life in Afghanistan and the UK is one of perseverance through many hardships - many caused through immigration status either as a refugee or legal migrant on a limited visa, caused by other bureaucratic problems of corrupt or uncaring systems, or the knock-on effects of forced and unforced migration, such as language. The whole story is very affecting, and ultimately very uplifting - this is not for the "tragic life stories" section of WH Smith. A must read for anyone who wants to understand what life is like for an immigrant student in the UK.
August 5, 2023
What a fascinating life story! I knew Shakardokht when she was writing her PhD thesis and thought at the time that her research topic had the potential to be truly significant in the field of cancer treatment. I didn't realise then what a struggle it had been to reach that point in her life, nor what further hurdles she would overcome in the future. On top of that, along with all her academic and entrepreneurial achievements, she's a really kind and friendly person, who deserves every success.
September 17, 2023
Voice of the voiceless!
Heart-touching, inspiring, worrying yet motivating book beautifully written by a strong, fascinating and true scientist with a good heart.
In this book she is not only telling her story but also is becoming the voice of hundreds of thousands if not millions of females and children having lived and or living in Afghanistan.
Resilient and determined, she shares what are humans capable of when they have set their mind on a goal and where one needs to sacrifice (comfort, luxury, materialistic world) to build something more meaningful and reach the level of satisfaction, explore your true potential and stand strong to whatever challenges life throws at you.
Grateful to her for sharing her journey filled with all sorts of conflicting emotional roller coasters…
Heart-touching, inspiring, worrying yet motivating book beautifully written by a strong, fascinating and true scientist with a good heart.
In this book she is not only telling her story but also is becoming the voice of hundreds of thousands if not millions of females and children having lived and or living in Afghanistan.
Resilient and determined, she shares what are humans capable of when they have set their mind on a goal and where one needs to sacrifice (comfort, luxury, materialistic world) to build something more meaningful and reach the level of satisfaction, explore your true potential and stand strong to whatever challenges life throws at you.
Grateful to her for sharing her journey filled with all sorts of conflicting emotional roller coasters…
March 6, 2024
This story is very inspirational 👏. I came across her through the University of Surrey, where she did MSc and PhD. This book is perfect to read and celebrate International Women's Day 😊
One of her main purposes of this book is to "give hope to disadvantaged girls and encourage all those, women especially, working or thinking of working in the fields of education and health." I highly recommend this book to everyone!
One of her main purposes of this book is to "give hope to disadvantaged girls and encourage all those, women especially, working or thinking of working in the fields of education and health." I highly recommend this book to everyone!
August 24, 2024
Really interesting, especially the beginning about her early life, i enjoyed that bit the most. I found it all a bit odd and rushed with how quickly she became a doctor, and excelled at everything she did, which was great, and no doubt she is a clever woman. But I just thought it was a bit weird leaving the kids / putting all her studies before them all the time. As I said she is very clever and very successful, and good for her, but she also had a lot of luck and opportunities.
February 21, 2024
A story of a remarkable woman whose indomitable spirit in the face of extreme challenges is an inspiration. What a woman, humble and strong who overcame so much and has contributed massively to society.
June 9, 2024
An impactful, heartbreaking but beautiful read. A truly inspiring woman
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July 4, 2025my father wanted me to read this book, so I did. maybe he’s still holding out hope I’ll get my PhD one day.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews