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Outspoken: My Fight for Freedom and Human Rights in Afghanistan
The impassioned memoir of Afghanistan's Sima medical doctor, public official, founder of schools and hospitals, thorn in the side of the Taliban, nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, and lifelong advocate for girls and women. "I have three strikes against me. I'm a woman, I speak out for women and I'm Hazara, the most persecuted tribe in Afghanistan." Dr. Sima Samar has been fighting for equality and justice for most of her life. Born into a polygamous family, she learned early that girls had inferior status, and had to agree to an arranged marriage if she wanted to go to university. By the time she was in medical school, she had a son, Ali, and had become a revolutionary. After her husband was disappeared by the pro-Russian regime, she escaped. With her son and medical degree, she took off into the rural areas--by horseback, by donkey, even on foot--to treat people who had never had medical help before. Her wide-ranging experiences both in her home country and on the world stage have given her inside access to the dishonesty, the collusion, the corruption, the self-serving leaders, the hijacking of religion. And as a former Vice President, she knows all the players in this chess game called Afghanistan. With stories that are at times poignant, at times terrifying, inspiring as well as disheartening, Sima provides an unparalleled view of Afghanistan's past and its present. Despite being in grave personal danger for many years, she has worked tirelessly to achieve the dream of justice and full human rights for all the citizens of her country.
344 pages, Hardcover
First published February 27, 2024
36 people are currently reading
701 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
February 13, 2024
A must read. Dr Sima Samar is a prime example of an Afghan woman -- indomitable, witty, and practical. Read her account to better understand Afghanistan's recent history through the life of this physician, leader, human rights champion. I've had the honor of interviewing Dr Samar and she is a quiet, inspiring force.
March 1, 2024
This book was incredible. An immensely powerful look into Afghanistan and the struggles the country faced and still face under a terrorist organization - and how everything Sima and others worked hard for fell apart when the US pulled out of Afghanistan; mentioning the ways she felt the country could be fixed if they themselves could come together and unite, with help from international intervention.
Most importantly this book covers what Sima tried to do for the people of Afghanistan, providing better medical care, education and support to all people of Afghanistan, but especially women and girls. Women suffer the most in Afghanistan and it was really sad to learn of all the horrible ways they were and are treated in their country. But Sima has started a movement hopefully, and may she continue to inspire Afghan women, and all women, to stand up for women’s rights.
Most importantly this book covers what Sima tried to do for the people of Afghanistan, providing better medical care, education and support to all people of Afghanistan, but especially women and girls. Women suffer the most in Afghanistan and it was really sad to learn of all the horrible ways they were and are treated in their country. But Sima has started a movement hopefully, and may she continue to inspire Afghan women, and all women, to stand up for women’s rights.
March 4, 2024
This is such an important read!
Read
November 25, 2024Can’t recommend this more. Pick it up if you want to understand the current situation in Afghanistan and how it came to be, and learn about the life and goals of a strong, inspiring Afghan woman who loves her country, her people and fights for the rights of women and girls all around the world.
*libro.fm ALC* amazing audiobook too!
*libro.fm ALC* amazing audiobook too!
February 20, 2024
WOW. Immensely powerful. I received a complimentary audiobook from the publisher via libro.fm.
March 31, 2024
I want to know so much more about Afghanistan after reading this which tells me this book did it's job perfectly.
April 7, 2025
“I’m fascinated by how much we study war, analyze war, make movies about war and write about war, and yet never find the formula to stop it.”
July 28, 2024
Just an incredible human being, who is as nice in person as you would hope her to be! A total hero.
March 6, 2024
This book gets a BIG oof. I spent majority of my time infuriated at the big truths Sima Samar reveals about the culture in Afghanistan and the USA’s involvement in their government and freedoms. I learned so much about history portrayed from a different perspective while also gaining a greater appreciation for my freedoms.
February 1, 2025
Thank you to libro.fm for providing me with an ALC of this audiobook. I am offering my honest opinion voluntarily.
Like most people, I watched horrified as the United States pulled all of their troops out of Afghanistan, allowing the Taliban to take control of the government. Since then, I’ve followed news reports and seen unthinkable news out of Afghanistan about the Taliban’s rules that have ensured that the Afghan people suffer, most notably the women. However, I have to admit that I don’t know much about Afghanistan, and I wanted to change that. I started with this book, which was a perfect introduction, and plan to explore a bit more about Afghanistan and the wars that have decimated the country in the last half century.
The audiobook is narrated by Wajma Soroor, and she does a wonderful job of making both Afghanistan and Dr. Sima Samar’s story leap off the page, ensuring that readers can easily visualize the setting and events described, no matter how unfamiliar they are with the Afghan people and society. I’m not familiar with the sound of Pashto, Dari, or any of the other languages spoken in Afghanistan, but I’m glad I was able to read the audiobook version, where I could hear the proper pronunciation for all of the Afghan terms in the book.
There is an easy, almost conversational tone to her story, and she starts her tale at the beginning by sharing her early memories and experiences. Growing up as a young girl in Afghanistan, she quickly learned a lot of difficult truths, starting with how devalued women and girls have been in Afghanistan, and how the Hazara ethnic group is the most persecuted in Afghanistan. If you’ve read The Kite Runner, you may recall that Hassan is Hazara.
Growing up as a Hazara woman in Afghanistan wasn’t easy, and Samar was allowed some freedoms that other women didn’t get—primarily, the ability to complete schooling and even attend medical school, although in order to do that, she had to agree to an arranged marriage. I was speechless when she talked about growing up in a house that didn’t have running water, something difficult for me to imagine experiencing in the second half of the 20th century. It really highlights the differences between the world that I grew up in and the world the author grew up in.
I was really inspired by the work that Samar does on behalf of women, especially those trapped under the thumb of the Taliban. As a female doctor, Samar found herself uniquely positioned to offer care to women, although she also spent time treating people in rural Afghanistan who had no ability to access medical care. However, her influence wasn’t limited to individual patients and their interactions with her. Instead, Samar rose to high levels in the Afghan government when the Taliban wasn’t in charge, and even worked with the UN to help women, back before the UN had become fully corrupted.
However, the aspect of the story that was by far the most intriguing to me was her view of the Taliban, and how it reflects world events today. One of the things that is repeated multiple times in the memoir was along the lines of how a country and a people are expected to make peace with a terrorist group? The Taliban is undoubtedly an Islamist terror group. Make no mistake, the word Islamist was a deliberate choice to describe Muslim fundamentalism, and to differentiate it from the overall less extremist faction of the religion. But with Islamists, extremism is the norm and not the exception; it seems to spawn terrorism that affects everyone around them. And Samar relates her experiences over the course of her life, where the popularity and power of the Taliban has waxed and waned multiple times.
If you’ve watched the news pertaining to Afghanistan today, and specifically the laws and behavior towards the women trapped there with no resources or supports to escape, you’re as concerned as I am. You may also recall the Taliban’s promises to world leaders and organizations that they would not pass excessively restrictive laws about women. Appeased, the world sat back and ignored the slow stripping of human rights that were protected during American occupation away from women in the handful of years of Taliban (re-)rule. Since the publication of this book, the women in Afghanistan are no longer allowed to speak in public, be in view of a window inside their own home, and now to get any type of medical training. Women are not allowed to be examined by a male doctor, so this most recent spate of laws all but ensures that women are erased from public spaces, and ultimately, could lead to the widespread inability for women to obtain any type of healthcare at all in the future.
Can you tell that this is the kind of book that inspired me to do some more research about the subject? I was aware of some of the major events and issues, but this book made them so much more relatable by sharing them through the lens of a woman who has lost and fought for and regained her rights, and had to live as a refugee and now in exile, and is familiar with the various factors that have influenced and impacted government and human rights in her country. Additionally, in her quest for justice, she has founded a network of hospitals, clinics, and schools, and devoted her energy towards improving the lives of women and girls in other regions as well. It’s hard not to admire a woman who has spent her life working to improve life for the most disenfranchised women, and who never gives up, no matter how many challenges are placed in her path.
This is the kind of story that needs to be heard—it shares not only the pain and struggle that women and girls are facing in Afghanistan, but also delves into the multiple factors that have contributed to the creation of the current situation and that need to be addressed to preserve human rights that have been critically eroded in Afghanistan. It also can serve as a cautionary tale to those that think it is possible to appease an Islamist group and not have it come back to bite you. It has happened too many times with the Taliban, ISIS, Al-Qaida, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Boko Haram, and all of the other Islamist extremist groups that act against the welfare of humanity and aim to establish a global caliphate. This is the kind of book that needs to be read widely.
Like most people, I watched horrified as the United States pulled all of their troops out of Afghanistan, allowing the Taliban to take control of the government. Since then, I’ve followed news reports and seen unthinkable news out of Afghanistan about the Taliban’s rules that have ensured that the Afghan people suffer, most notably the women. However, I have to admit that I don’t know much about Afghanistan, and I wanted to change that. I started with this book, which was a perfect introduction, and plan to explore a bit more about Afghanistan and the wars that have decimated the country in the last half century.
The audiobook is narrated by Wajma Soroor, and she does a wonderful job of making both Afghanistan and Dr. Sima Samar’s story leap off the page, ensuring that readers can easily visualize the setting and events described, no matter how unfamiliar they are with the Afghan people and society. I’m not familiar with the sound of Pashto, Dari, or any of the other languages spoken in Afghanistan, but I’m glad I was able to read the audiobook version, where I could hear the proper pronunciation for all of the Afghan terms in the book.
There is an easy, almost conversational tone to her story, and she starts her tale at the beginning by sharing her early memories and experiences. Growing up as a young girl in Afghanistan, she quickly learned a lot of difficult truths, starting with how devalued women and girls have been in Afghanistan, and how the Hazara ethnic group is the most persecuted in Afghanistan. If you’ve read The Kite Runner, you may recall that Hassan is Hazara.
Growing up as a Hazara woman in Afghanistan wasn’t easy, and Samar was allowed some freedoms that other women didn’t get—primarily, the ability to complete schooling and even attend medical school, although in order to do that, she had to agree to an arranged marriage. I was speechless when she talked about growing up in a house that didn’t have running water, something difficult for me to imagine experiencing in the second half of the 20th century. It really highlights the differences between the world that I grew up in and the world the author grew up in.
I was really inspired by the work that Samar does on behalf of women, especially those trapped under the thumb of the Taliban. As a female doctor, Samar found herself uniquely positioned to offer care to women, although she also spent time treating people in rural Afghanistan who had no ability to access medical care. However, her influence wasn’t limited to individual patients and their interactions with her. Instead, Samar rose to high levels in the Afghan government when the Taliban wasn’t in charge, and even worked with the UN to help women, back before the UN had become fully corrupted.
However, the aspect of the story that was by far the most intriguing to me was her view of the Taliban, and how it reflects world events today. One of the things that is repeated multiple times in the memoir was along the lines of how a country and a people are expected to make peace with a terrorist group? The Taliban is undoubtedly an Islamist terror group. Make no mistake, the word Islamist was a deliberate choice to describe Muslim fundamentalism, and to differentiate it from the overall less extremist faction of the religion. But with Islamists, extremism is the norm and not the exception; it seems to spawn terrorism that affects everyone around them. And Samar relates her experiences over the course of her life, where the popularity and power of the Taliban has waxed and waned multiple times.
If you’ve watched the news pertaining to Afghanistan today, and specifically the laws and behavior towards the women trapped there with no resources or supports to escape, you’re as concerned as I am. You may also recall the Taliban’s promises to world leaders and organizations that they would not pass excessively restrictive laws about women. Appeased, the world sat back and ignored the slow stripping of human rights that were protected during American occupation away from women in the handful of years of Taliban (re-)rule. Since the publication of this book, the women in Afghanistan are no longer allowed to speak in public, be in view of a window inside their own home, and now to get any type of medical training. Women are not allowed to be examined by a male doctor, so this most recent spate of laws all but ensures that women are erased from public spaces, and ultimately, could lead to the widespread inability for women to obtain any type of healthcare at all in the future.
Can you tell that this is the kind of book that inspired me to do some more research about the subject? I was aware of some of the major events and issues, but this book made them so much more relatable by sharing them through the lens of a woman who has lost and fought for and regained her rights, and had to live as a refugee and now in exile, and is familiar with the various factors that have influenced and impacted government and human rights in her country. Additionally, in her quest for justice, she has founded a network of hospitals, clinics, and schools, and devoted her energy towards improving the lives of women and girls in other regions as well. It’s hard not to admire a woman who has spent her life working to improve life for the most disenfranchised women, and who never gives up, no matter how many challenges are placed in her path.
This is the kind of story that needs to be heard—it shares not only the pain and struggle that women and girls are facing in Afghanistan, but also delves into the multiple factors that have contributed to the creation of the current situation and that need to be addressed to preserve human rights that have been critically eroded in Afghanistan. It also can serve as a cautionary tale to those that think it is possible to appease an Islamist group and not have it come back to bite you. It has happened too many times with the Taliban, ISIS, Al-Qaida, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Boko Haram, and all of the other Islamist extremist groups that act against the welfare of humanity and aim to establish a global caliphate. This is the kind of book that needs to be read widely.
April 11, 2024
Having visited Afghanistan myself, I was very interested to read Sima Samar's account of her lifelong battle for the rights of Afghan women and children. It has never been easy for women in Afghanistan, but the atrocities committed by the Taliban take misogyny and gender violence to whole new levels. It is heartbreaking for all who care about the rights of women and children to see the Taliban in power once again.
April 18, 2024
Outspoken is such a wonderful memoir. Beautifully written, easy to read but so eye opening. Sima Samar describes so vividly her life in Afghanistan as a child but also as a woman. She writes about how hard she fought to be seen, for women’s freedom and rights, for her country’s democracy road.Sima has poured her whole heart and soul into her country development, she fought unconditionally for the Afghans women’s rights to be seen and to live in dignity. I highly recommend this memoir to everyone.
June 25, 2025
Sima Samar’s life long dedication to advocating for women is evident in this memoir of her life. Her strength and resilience is admirable: to push through so many stacked odds, to be brave in the midst of chaos & to keep fighting while being actively oppressed, I’m in complete awe of her story!
This was also an eye opening read for me in learning more about significant historical events in Afghanistan. Samar’s memoir particularly highlights stories of gender based violence, the importance of education for girls & the performative allyship of the west.
A must-read!
This was also an eye opening read for me in learning more about significant historical events in Afghanistan. Samar’s memoir particularly highlights stories of gender based violence, the importance of education for girls & the performative allyship of the west.
A must-read!
March 13, 2025
In a world where the issues we care about rotate so quickly, this book is an important reminder that the struggle for human rights in Afghanistan continues - even if people have moved on to something else.
May 27, 2025
This is such a powerful memoir. This is a must read for understanding the history and current reality for women in Afghanistan.
Thank you to libro.fm for my copy.
Thank you to libro.fm for my copy.
June 1, 2024
Such an incredible life and story!
June 30, 2024
Sima Samar has done wonderful work focussing on girls and women in Afghanistan. However everything collapsed in 2021 with the Taliban takeover. The human rights has been devastated in that country. Will Sims ends with a hopeful note for the future, I personally feel the hole is so deep I doubt if I will see a change in their dire situation in my lifetime. It is a tragedy for all.
March 20, 2024
Jaw- dropping! Amazing! Sima Samar is a true example of bravery, faith, knowledge, and strength at its finest!💜💙
April 22, 2024
""As for women's issues, [he, the American diplomat claimed] the United States must respect the "Afghan religion and culture" toward women and therefore should not take any action in this regard.
Of course, I countered every one of his arguments and stated unequivocally that putting women under house arrest was not our 'culture'.""
--Dr. Sima Samar, from the book
A must-read, this is the memoir of Afghan doctor, surgeon, hospital founder and administrator, teacher, health textbook author, and tireless campaigner for women's rights and human rights, Dr. Sima Samar. Dr. Samar ran hospitals and clinics for women and children in Afghanistan, under both the muhajideen and the rule of the Taliban. I am in awe of this incredible juggernaut of a woman who has so many accomplishments and capacity for perseverance, despite setbacks.
The plight of women under the Taliban regime is difficult and disturbing. Taliban ideology is explicitly anti-modernity, and in practice, hampers women's rights. Girls are not allowed to go to school, to learn to read or write or to have dreams of becoming independent doctors or teachers or engineers. They cannot leave the home unescorted by male family members. Forced marriages, child marriages, domestic violence, are rife structural conditions. If they go out in public, they are required to wear head-to-toe covering that limits visibility and mobility, instead of being allowed to choose. Women are not allowed to work. They are not allowed to congregate in public. Women who accidentally miss the rules are whipped. A woman caught in the company of a male non-relative is accused of 'zina' and taken to be stoned. Thus under the guise of purity, women are imposed with a lot of restrictions and control. There is no freedom to know, to speak out, to move, to choose.
Dr. Samar explains a bit in this book how conditions came about. When the Soviets invaded and regional, tribal mujahideen fought back and fought against each other, the USA, UK, Saudia Arabia and UAE saw a chance to fund the opposite, conservative side which would lead to the Taliban. As Dr. Samar explains it, Afghan refugees came to Pakistan, and mothers and fathers saw a chance for a better life for their sons if they entrust them to camp schools. However, the type of madrassahs that Pakistan sponsored did not focus on teaching math and science but on transmitting radicalization. Pakistan saw this as a political opportunity to exert its own influence in Afghanistan. Dr. Samar says that the schools were an export of Wahhabism, a specific ideology founded in Saudi Arabia that places emphasis on an interpretation of fundamentalism. The Taliban then came from Pakistan to Afghanistan.
Dr. Samar points out that society was not always so. While Afghanistan, she repeats several times in the book, had been a patriarchal society, growing up she had more freedoms. She was able to go to university and study medicine and become a doctor. Women were headmistresses and teachers in schools. She was married to a man, a physics professor, who respected her in every way, elevated her right to be heard, and treated her as an equal in their joint decisions together. (Her husband was later arrested in the middle of night and disappeared).
For Dr. Samar, Afghanistan is more than the brief history of Taliban rule. Afghanistan is her childhood days of harvesting apricots, almonds, pomegranates, and making yogurt and cheese. Afghanistan is a multiethnic country of Pashtun, Hazara, Uzbek, Tajik. It is a country of kite-flying, astronomy clubs, martial arts lessons, radio stations, when it is allowed to flourish. But Dr. Samar also endeavors never to deemphasize the enormity of work that lies ahead to rebuild Afghanistan's infrastructure, and to undo layers of patriarchy.
Dr. Samar has never lost hope for her country. She operated her hospitals even under Taliban rule (they also needed someone, a female doctor, they could bring their wives too). Throughout the book, she emphasizes the need for women's rights to become recognized as human rights. She emphasizes the need for education and literacy as an uplift against poverty and bulwark against fearmongering and extremism. These are values she repeats over and over.
I can't represent Dr. Samar's words as well as she can, so I'm quoting some of her words below. This book is a highly informative one to read.
-----------------------------
"A man once said to me, "if i give women human rights, I have to give away my human rights." I tried to explain the concepts of equality and fairness and justice to him. I tried to help him understand that dozens of studies showed that human rights are for all people and are a key to prosperity, to better outcomes for everyone.""
""These young men had been schooled in madrassas opened for Afghan refugee children in Pakistan-- Taliban means 'students'-- but the curriculum was misinformation and hatred.. They promised peace, but in reality they hijacked religion for political opportunism to deliver a toxic mix of misogyny and misery in the name of God.""
""In war's aftermath the people are yoked to its consequences. Most suffer from the psychological trauma that comes with insecurity; others, the homeless ones, the orphans, the wounded, the malnourished, suffer no less grievously. All of them are paying the price for someone else's feud, and without help they grow up and keep the war kettly boiling, carrying the quarrel to the next generation.""
""Consider this: between 1996 and 2001, women, who represent 50 percent of the population, were treated like slaves and like baby-making machines, and the more male babies, the better. Women could not speak out or talk back-- they had no rights and lived obediently and submissively at home, suffering no end of violence. In 2001 when the Taliban was defeated, a lot of that changed; for the next twenty years girls could go to school and become lawyers, journalists, governors, ministers, members of parliament, senators, teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs, artists, and sportswomen. The universities were crammed with girls and boys who were reaching for the stars and imagining lives of fulfillment and success.""
""It's all about minor interpretations of religion that has a basic creed for everyone. We all worship the same God. We all believe in the doctrines of goodness, honesty, humility, generosity and service. How we express those beliefs is a personal and spiritual journey each of us takes or decides not to take. And yet religion is used as an excuse to discriminate, to punish, and to kill. Rather than bringing us together in service, one to the other, it drives us apart.""
""Some international agencies began justifying the abuses by saying, 'At least there's peace under the Taliban '.Except for women, living in prison isn't peace. The silence in the graveyard isn't peace. The threat of being stoned to death isn't peace. Paintint your windows over so you can't be seen isn't peace.""
""We trained nurses, started a midwifery program, and began a mass vaccination drive against tetanus and the viral diseases that had been making people sick. We taught hygiene to people unaware of the importance of washing hands or sterilizing instruments for birthing babies. We trained thousands and gave them the basic equipment to deal with deliveries. ""
""Hundreds of eager students flocked to the schools, and the lineup at the clinics stretched out into the street. I started sewing and quilting projects so the women could earn money, and trained people as health care workers and midwives. I tapped every international aid organization I could find for the funds to operate. But nothing was ever easy.""
""Human rights and dignity for all must be the way we approach every single issue in our country. Inclusion is the way to build trust and confidence between the people and the government. The foundation for democracy is trust among the people and in the process... Quality education is the strogest tool to fight ignorance and poverty. Universal education makes peace building and development possible.""
Of course, I countered every one of his arguments and stated unequivocally that putting women under house arrest was not our 'culture'.""
--Dr. Sima Samar, from the book
A must-read, this is the memoir of Afghan doctor, surgeon, hospital founder and administrator, teacher, health textbook author, and tireless campaigner for women's rights and human rights, Dr. Sima Samar. Dr. Samar ran hospitals and clinics for women and children in Afghanistan, under both the muhajideen and the rule of the Taliban. I am in awe of this incredible juggernaut of a woman who has so many accomplishments and capacity for perseverance, despite setbacks.
The plight of women under the Taliban regime is difficult and disturbing. Taliban ideology is explicitly anti-modernity, and in practice, hampers women's rights. Girls are not allowed to go to school, to learn to read or write or to have dreams of becoming independent doctors or teachers or engineers. They cannot leave the home unescorted by male family members. Forced marriages, child marriages, domestic violence, are rife structural conditions. If they go out in public, they are required to wear head-to-toe covering that limits visibility and mobility, instead of being allowed to choose. Women are not allowed to work. They are not allowed to congregate in public. Women who accidentally miss the rules are whipped. A woman caught in the company of a male non-relative is accused of 'zina' and taken to be stoned. Thus under the guise of purity, women are imposed with a lot of restrictions and control. There is no freedom to know, to speak out, to move, to choose.
Dr. Samar explains a bit in this book how conditions came about. When the Soviets invaded and regional, tribal mujahideen fought back and fought against each other, the USA, UK, Saudia Arabia and UAE saw a chance to fund the opposite, conservative side which would lead to the Taliban. As Dr. Samar explains it, Afghan refugees came to Pakistan, and mothers and fathers saw a chance for a better life for their sons if they entrust them to camp schools. However, the type of madrassahs that Pakistan sponsored did not focus on teaching math and science but on transmitting radicalization. Pakistan saw this as a political opportunity to exert its own influence in Afghanistan. Dr. Samar says that the schools were an export of Wahhabism, a specific ideology founded in Saudi Arabia that places emphasis on an interpretation of fundamentalism. The Taliban then came from Pakistan to Afghanistan.
Dr. Samar points out that society was not always so. While Afghanistan, she repeats several times in the book, had been a patriarchal society, growing up she had more freedoms. She was able to go to university and study medicine and become a doctor. Women were headmistresses and teachers in schools. She was married to a man, a physics professor, who respected her in every way, elevated her right to be heard, and treated her as an equal in their joint decisions together. (Her husband was later arrested in the middle of night and disappeared).
For Dr. Samar, Afghanistan is more than the brief history of Taliban rule. Afghanistan is her childhood days of harvesting apricots, almonds, pomegranates, and making yogurt and cheese. Afghanistan is a multiethnic country of Pashtun, Hazara, Uzbek, Tajik. It is a country of kite-flying, astronomy clubs, martial arts lessons, radio stations, when it is allowed to flourish. But Dr. Samar also endeavors never to deemphasize the enormity of work that lies ahead to rebuild Afghanistan's infrastructure, and to undo layers of patriarchy.
Dr. Samar has never lost hope for her country. She operated her hospitals even under Taliban rule (they also needed someone, a female doctor, they could bring their wives too). Throughout the book, she emphasizes the need for women's rights to become recognized as human rights. She emphasizes the need for education and literacy as an uplift against poverty and bulwark against fearmongering and extremism. These are values she repeats over and over.
I can't represent Dr. Samar's words as well as she can, so I'm quoting some of her words below. This book is a highly informative one to read.
-----------------------------
"A man once said to me, "if i give women human rights, I have to give away my human rights." I tried to explain the concepts of equality and fairness and justice to him. I tried to help him understand that dozens of studies showed that human rights are for all people and are a key to prosperity, to better outcomes for everyone.""
""These young men had been schooled in madrassas opened for Afghan refugee children in Pakistan-- Taliban means 'students'-- but the curriculum was misinformation and hatred.. They promised peace, but in reality they hijacked religion for political opportunism to deliver a toxic mix of misogyny and misery in the name of God.""
""In war's aftermath the people are yoked to its consequences. Most suffer from the psychological trauma that comes with insecurity; others, the homeless ones, the orphans, the wounded, the malnourished, suffer no less grievously. All of them are paying the price for someone else's feud, and without help they grow up and keep the war kettly boiling, carrying the quarrel to the next generation.""
""Consider this: between 1996 and 2001, women, who represent 50 percent of the population, were treated like slaves and like baby-making machines, and the more male babies, the better. Women could not speak out or talk back-- they had no rights and lived obediently and submissively at home, suffering no end of violence. In 2001 when the Taliban was defeated, a lot of that changed; for the next twenty years girls could go to school and become lawyers, journalists, governors, ministers, members of parliament, senators, teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs, artists, and sportswomen. The universities were crammed with girls and boys who were reaching for the stars and imagining lives of fulfillment and success.""
""It's all about minor interpretations of religion that has a basic creed for everyone. We all worship the same God. We all believe in the doctrines of goodness, honesty, humility, generosity and service. How we express those beliefs is a personal and spiritual journey each of us takes or decides not to take. And yet religion is used as an excuse to discriminate, to punish, and to kill. Rather than bringing us together in service, one to the other, it drives us apart.""
""Some international agencies began justifying the abuses by saying, 'At least there's peace under the Taliban '.Except for women, living in prison isn't peace. The silence in the graveyard isn't peace. The threat of being stoned to death isn't peace. Paintint your windows over so you can't be seen isn't peace.""
""We trained nurses, started a midwifery program, and began a mass vaccination drive against tetanus and the viral diseases that had been making people sick. We taught hygiene to people unaware of the importance of washing hands or sterilizing instruments for birthing babies. We trained thousands and gave them the basic equipment to deal with deliveries. ""
""Hundreds of eager students flocked to the schools, and the lineup at the clinics stretched out into the street. I started sewing and quilting projects so the women could earn money, and trained people as health care workers and midwives. I tapped every international aid organization I could find for the funds to operate. But nothing was ever easy.""
""Human rights and dignity for all must be the way we approach every single issue in our country. Inclusion is the way to build trust and confidence between the people and the government. The foundation for democracy is trust among the people and in the process... Quality education is the strogest tool to fight ignorance and poverty. Universal education makes peace building and development possible.""
December 12, 2024
Masterclass in politics and international relations.
Shi’ite Hazara feminist woman, doctor, teacher, politician, mother, human rights activist, born in the late 50’s in Afghanistan, describing her incredible life through Soviet rule, anti-Soviet afghan governing, pro-Soviet Afghan governing, taliban rule, internationally-supported fledgling democracy, taliban rule again.
Amazing analysis of domestic and international support and setbacks, and how different power players have interacted and created the current state of Afghanistan.
Sima Samar has more willpower, wit and energy than I can fathom, against every threat and setback and travesty continuing to fight for the rights of the oppressed, mainly women, and for access to democracy and political participation.
Action-packed life making an action-packed book, although it is all painfully true and such an important work of non-fiction to understand, it reads a lot like the outlandish plot of novel.
Trigger warnings for mention of extreme cases of rape, violence, (/mass) murder, and terrorism. These are not described in a particularly confrontational way (no ‘trauma porn’ thank goodness), but the content is overall very heavy and confronting nonetheless.
“I felt it was a question of education. If you don’t know what’s in the Quran, or you don’t understand the meaning of the words, you are liable to misinterpret religion and use it to trample on women’s rights. […] 85% of Afghan women and about 75% of Afghan men were illiterate at that time and couldn’t read the Arabic text.” Pp. 116-117
Shi’ite Hazara feminist woman, doctor, teacher, politician, mother, human rights activist, born in the late 50’s in Afghanistan, describing her incredible life through Soviet rule, anti-Soviet afghan governing, pro-Soviet Afghan governing, taliban rule, internationally-supported fledgling democracy, taliban rule again.
Amazing analysis of domestic and international support and setbacks, and how different power players have interacted and created the current state of Afghanistan.
Sima Samar has more willpower, wit and energy than I can fathom, against every threat and setback and travesty continuing to fight for the rights of the oppressed, mainly women, and for access to democracy and political participation.
Action-packed life making an action-packed book, although it is all painfully true and such an important work of non-fiction to understand, it reads a lot like the outlandish plot of novel.
Trigger warnings for mention of extreme cases of rape, violence, (/mass) murder, and terrorism. These are not described in a particularly confrontational way (no ‘trauma porn’ thank goodness), but the content is overall very heavy and confronting nonetheless.
“I felt it was a question of education. If you don’t know what’s in the Quran, or you don’t understand the meaning of the words, you are liable to misinterpret religion and use it to trample on women’s rights. […] 85% of Afghan women and about 75% of Afghan men were illiterate at that time and couldn’t read the Arabic text.” Pp. 116-117
July 24, 2024
This book is a must to anyone who wishes to get introduced to what Afghanistan has been and is going through, to human rights, and to the role/impact of the international community in the country's history.
April 24, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.
"Outspoken: My Fight for Freedom and Human Rights in Afghanistan" by Sima Samar is a profound memoir that encapsulates the relentless struggle and indomitable spirit of an extraordinary woman. Samar's life story unfolds against the backdrop of Afghanistan's turbulent history, offering a deeply personal narrative intertwined with the broader socio-political fabric of her homeland.
Samar's journey is one of resilience and defiance. Born into a polygamous family, she quickly learns the harsh realities of gender inequality. Her resolve to pursue education and her eventual path to becoming a medical doctor are testaments to her unwavering determination. The memoir does not shy away from the personal costs of her activism; the disappearance of her husband by the pro-Russian regime and her subsequent escape with her son and medical degree in tow, highlight the sacrifices made in the pursuit of justice.
The book is not merely a chronicle of Samar's life but also a critique of the systemic failures that have plagued Afghanistan. Her insider perspective as a former Vice President reveals the collusion, corruption, and the often self-serving nature of leadership that has hindered progress. Yet, despite the gravity of these issues, Samar's narrative is imbued with hope and a steadfast belief in the possibility of a just future for all Afghans.
What makes "Outspoken" particularly compelling is its unflinching honesty. Samar's accounts are poignant and at times harrowing, yet they never lose sight of the humanity that persists amidst adversity. Her advocacy for girls and women, and her status as a Hazara, the most persecuted ethnic group in Afghanistan, add layers of complexity to her story, making it a rich tapestry of struggle, survival, and hope.
"Outspoken" is a clarion call for human rights and equality. It's a narrative that resonates far beyond the borders of Afghanistan, serving as a reminder of the power of voice and the enduring fight for freedom. Samar's memoir is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of personal memoir and global human rights advocacy. It's a story that breaks hearts but also brings hope, a story that is as much about one woman's fight as it is about the collective struggle for a better world.
"Outspoken: My Fight for Freedom and Human Rights in Afghanistan" by Sima Samar is a profound memoir that encapsulates the relentless struggle and indomitable spirit of an extraordinary woman. Samar's life story unfolds against the backdrop of Afghanistan's turbulent history, offering a deeply personal narrative intertwined with the broader socio-political fabric of her homeland.
Samar's journey is one of resilience and defiance. Born into a polygamous family, she quickly learns the harsh realities of gender inequality. Her resolve to pursue education and her eventual path to becoming a medical doctor are testaments to her unwavering determination. The memoir does not shy away from the personal costs of her activism; the disappearance of her husband by the pro-Russian regime and her subsequent escape with her son and medical degree in tow, highlight the sacrifices made in the pursuit of justice.
The book is not merely a chronicle of Samar's life but also a critique of the systemic failures that have plagued Afghanistan. Her insider perspective as a former Vice President reveals the collusion, corruption, and the often self-serving nature of leadership that has hindered progress. Yet, despite the gravity of these issues, Samar's narrative is imbued with hope and a steadfast belief in the possibility of a just future for all Afghans.
What makes "Outspoken" particularly compelling is its unflinching honesty. Samar's accounts are poignant and at times harrowing, yet they never lose sight of the humanity that persists amidst adversity. Her advocacy for girls and women, and her status as a Hazara, the most persecuted ethnic group in Afghanistan, add layers of complexity to her story, making it a rich tapestry of struggle, survival, and hope.
"Outspoken" is a clarion call for human rights and equality. It's a narrative that resonates far beyond the borders of Afghanistan, serving as a reminder of the power of voice and the enduring fight for freedom. Samar's memoir is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of personal memoir and global human rights advocacy. It's a story that breaks hearts but also brings hope, a story that is as much about one woman's fight as it is about the collective struggle for a better world.
April 2, 2025
I absolutely loved Outspoken and learned so much from it. Sima Samar doesn’t just tell her story—she exposes the deeply ingrained injustices that shape the lives of women under oppressive regimes. The book lays bare how women’s rights are diminished under the guise of "protection," showing that while the Taliban's gender apartheid is extreme, it follows a long history of anti-woman policies.
Through Samar’s lens, we see how war and conflict always hit the most vulnerable the hardest—women, children, disabled people, and unaccompanied minors, especially girls. Even in humanitarian relief efforts, women's basic needs—like hygiene products and contraception—are rarely a priority. The book also underscores how, in the name of culture and religion, women are forced into roles that serve a male-defined version of purity and femininity—something that varies from country to country but exists everywhere.
* Spoiler paragraph *
One of the most eye-opening aspects for me was how political maneuvering, particularly the 2018–2020 U.S. "peace" talks (under Trump's first administration) with the Taliban, played a direct role in destabilizing Afghanistan. With little regard for Afghanistan’s elected government, Trump engaged in talks directly with the Taliban, undermining the country's elections and people's trust in the progress towards democracy. He even invited the Taliban to Camp David and ended economic sanctions against them such as arms embargoes! Having this olive branch from the White House led to increased violence from the Taliban and ultimately set the stage for the country’s collapse. And here we are today, wondering how we got here.
* Spoiler paragraph end *
I love how Samar reminds us that real peace isn’t just the absence of war—it’s peace with dignity, peace with human security.
My favourite quote is: People are the firewood for the political ambitions of the superpowers.
This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the realities of systemic gender oppression, global power struggles, and what true resilience looks like.
Through Samar’s lens, we see how war and conflict always hit the most vulnerable the hardest—women, children, disabled people, and unaccompanied minors, especially girls. Even in humanitarian relief efforts, women's basic needs—like hygiene products and contraception—are rarely a priority. The book also underscores how, in the name of culture and religion, women are forced into roles that serve a male-defined version of purity and femininity—something that varies from country to country but exists everywhere.
* Spoiler paragraph *
One of the most eye-opening aspects for me was how political maneuvering, particularly the 2018–2020 U.S. "peace" talks (under Trump's first administration) with the Taliban, played a direct role in destabilizing Afghanistan. With little regard for Afghanistan’s elected government, Trump engaged in talks directly with the Taliban, undermining the country's elections and people's trust in the progress towards democracy. He even invited the Taliban to Camp David and ended economic sanctions against them such as arms embargoes! Having this olive branch from the White House led to increased violence from the Taliban and ultimately set the stage for the country’s collapse. And here we are today, wondering how we got here.
* Spoiler paragraph end *
I love how Samar reminds us that real peace isn’t just the absence of war—it’s peace with dignity, peace with human security.
My favourite quote is: People are the firewood for the political ambitions of the superpowers.
This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the realities of systemic gender oppression, global power struggles, and what true resilience looks like.
October 21, 2025
This book was everything I hoped for and more. Sima Samar is one of the most incredible people I have had the privilege of reading about. Her book is a testament to the life she has led, dedicated to fighting for human rights and creating change in a system that continually fought against her and her mission. She rarely took more than two sentences to reflect on a moment where she was in imminent danger or was actively saving the life of a vulnerable individual, before immediately switching back to telling the story of the Afghan people. Samar tells her story with such humility and grit that it is impossible not to be inspired by her. She does an incredible job laying out the history of the Afghanistan political system, the rise and fall of the Taliban, and the lead-up and aftermath of the withdrawal of international troops in 2021. Most importantly, I admire Samar's love for her homeland. She carries such hope throughout the book, even when the reality of the situation seems bleak. She is an example for people everywhere of how to continue to love your country and the people in it, even when the systems operating within make it difficult. Anyone looking to learn more about the history of Afghanistan and the realities of life under the Taliban from a woman who had a front row seat should absolutely read this book.
June 24, 2024
The first chapter gave considerable historical background regarding Afghanistan and its' history and relationships within the context of ancient Persia, and within the larger Asian context. Samar also provided more context in discussing the roles of religion, gender, class, and politics, both there and in the larger world, including English, Russian, and other influences and actions, including those of the US and China. I found that chapter helpful, but somewhat academic. Starting with Chapter 2, Samar started giving us her own memoir within the broader contexts and the influences developing her views about the role and the little power of women within them. This becomes much more compelling reading. I was under a time limit to read the book, so about 75% through, I skipped to the last few chapters, and then returned to my previous place in the book, and was unable to finish all of that section. Many parts of the memoir are joyous, when talking about some of her earlier life, and also about some of her accomplishments within challenging circumstances. However, the country has been wracked by a number of disasters in terms of politics and invasions such as the Taliban, other wars and other oppressors. The book can seem quite depressing & hopeless at times, and her life has not been easy, although better than that of a number of her fellow citizens. However, Samar has not lost all her hopes for her country eventually being able to grow into ruling itself to the benefit of all citizens and offers some critiques and recommendations.
October 12, 2024
Sima Samar is a VERY determined woman who provides detailed insight into the messiness of Afghan politics and horror of living through different regimes, especially as a woman. I chose to read this as I am about to teach it for Year 12 Society and Culture and needed a good overview of the background and current situation in Afghanistan (and this book provided it in a mostly easy to read way). It did get a bit dull in parts when there was too much talk of awards, meetings and blame on people. Samar is very brave for her open criticism of leaders around the world. I think I’ll read some more to get other perspectives, as it became very much about Samar’s opinions and ideas (which is fine, but I would like to see what others think too). Overall I would recommend it for people not very familiar with Afghanistan and wanting to learn more about its history and particularly the human rights abuses and treatment of women.
October 27, 2024
This book is a somewhat disheartening recent history of Afghanistan, seen through the personal events affecting the author, Sima Samar. It describes the valiant attempts that the author, with her friends, family, and associates, have made to bring human rights, equality, nonviolence, and democratic values to her country. It has brought to me a clearer view of the problems that the country and its people are trying to overcome. In spite of the variety of current conflicts and challenges that Afghanistan people face, there is hope because of the valiant efforts that the author and people like her, continue to make for a better future.
January 3, 2025
This incredible book is co-authored by Dr. Sima Samar, an Afghani doctor and pioneer for women's rights, and Sally Armstrong, who had been corresponding and speaking with Dr Sima over a number of years to bring her journey, passion and struggles to life in this book.
Dr Sima's life, her grit and determination to better the lives of women has been no easy feat. She has struggled with adversity throughout different government regimes, including the taliban regime. Her ability to access and provide healthcare and basic education for impoverished communities has waivered depending on the climate of the country and her ability to be able to travel freely.
I am so glad that I had the opportunity to read this book and learn more about the great work Dr Sima has achieved over countless years, and that her story has been shared so others are aware.
Dr Sima's life, her grit and determination to better the lives of women has been no easy feat. She has struggled with adversity throughout different government regimes, including the taliban regime. Her ability to access and provide healthcare and basic education for impoverished communities has waivered depending on the climate of the country and her ability to be able to travel freely.
I am so glad that I had the opportunity to read this book and learn more about the great work Dr Sima has achieved over countless years, and that her story has been shared so others are aware.
January 13, 2025
This is a very good, informative and compelling non-fiction account of life in Afghanistan, particularly for girls and women. I was left with deep admiration for the author and her bravery; for her vision for girls and women and her country; for her dedication to working tirelessly to make a difference amidst violent factions and events; and while, challenging corrupt leadership. I was amazed that she has remained alive throughout 45 years of war and brutality. She doesn't dwell on the brutal events but offers insight into the culture, religion, structure and geopolitical environment. A good read.
September 4, 2024
an immensely evoking read, coming from a woman who loves her country it felt hugely informative and hopeful and represented the facts and problems she faced, dr samar has done truly incredible things with hope for the future of her country, I would really really REALLY recommend this, it shows the strength and defiance of afghanistans women and girls and all those who stood up for human rights when anyone has threatened it.
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