With All Our Strength

by Anne E. Brodsky

With All Our Strength is the inside story of this women-led underground organization and their fight for the rights of Afghan women. Anne Brodsky, the first writer given in-depth access to visit and interview their members and operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, shines light on the gruesome, often tragic, lives of Afghan women under some of the most brutal sexist oppression in the world.

Genres: History, Feminism, Politics, Womens, Asia, Nonfiction

334 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2003

Reviews

[Sabah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introduces and explains the work of heroic RAWA - the grassroots Afghan women's activist group striving to keep alive hope thru empowerment and education of Afghan women. A humbling and inspiring book all women should read.

[Noah Arsala · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually finished this book in July but I guess I forgot to write a review. To be candid, this is the first physical book I picked up to read on my own accord in years (not counting ebooks and audio books), and if there is a book to pick up physically, this is the one. I wrote a ton of notes, took many pictures, etc. because this gave me a whole new perspective on the political movements in Afghanistan. Prior to this book, I knew next to *nothing* about RAWA, including its existence aside from knowing of Meena, their founder. It was published after the US invasion of Afghanistan (specifically 2001 I believe?), but it discusses its thorough history from the 70s up until the present of the book.

This book resonated with me not only as an Afghan male, but as just a male since this was sort of a proper introduction to the feminist movement as well as giving a feminist perspective/“solution” to the problems Afghanistan faces and the problems we ourselves face internationally. I’ve only read works created from a capitalist/neoliberal, fundamentalist, and Marxist perspective, but never this so it was intriguing whilst also enlightening.

It also helped me with connecting to the student movements across the world, as RAWA was once that (and still is to an extent). There are many similarities between them, from how they work, their safety/security, and their fallbacks as well. It really emphasizes the importance of learning from eachother, and our current/past struggles to ensure we make tangible change.

From the way the interviewees depict meena, it seems she was what an organizer should be. A friendly face that will stand for you, regardless of your background. What makes her stand out from others is that she has had to make crucial sacrifices, arguably more than what many women in Afghanistan had to face. Without going too much into spoilers, there is a part in the book where someone who knew her personally (i think her daughter actually lol) discussed how meena had to limit her time with her family in order to keep the movement going (as well as for her kid’s safety)


If you’re an Afghan, this is a must read. If you’re anyone, this is a must read. I will say there are some parts that made me kind of straggle along, as it got kind of repetitive but overall it’s a great read that gave me a new perspective on what a political/humanitarian movement can look like in Afghanistan as well as around here!

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

What makes this book a worthy read for anyone interested in feminism, group psychology, and the intricacies of underground resistance movements are the copious transcriptions of interviews Brodsky conducted with RAWA members. She pays their voices the utmost respect, centering them consistently throughout the text.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone going to Afghanistan or interested in learning about the country’s history. This is what amplifying women’s voices looks like, it’s beautiful!!! So much to learn from RAWA.

[James F · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my readings on Afghanistan, the name of RAWA kept coming up in every book (except the first one by Fawzia Koofi). This is a history and description of that organization, which was founded in 1977 to fight for democracy and women's rights under the Communist regime and has continued to exist down to the present day. This was written in 2003, about a year after the US invasion when it was still uncertain what the results would be. RAWA understood however even then that the US would not hand women or the people of Aghanistan democracy and equality without a struggle by the Afghans themselves.

A very inspiring book, about a courageous group of women. They began with Meena, the founder who was assassinated in Pakistan during the Jehadi period, and five of her friends; at the time the book was written they had about two thousand members and an equal number of male supporters (only women can be members). The organization is underground, so the book does not give the names or much information about the leaders following Meena; in any case, they have a collective leadership by an elected Council.

This is a book by an American psychologist who is a supporter, and who would not have access to problems or disagreements within the group, and she did not interview any critics or opponents of the organization and only one former member, so one must be a little cautious -- it's an openly pro-RAWA book, but there was nothing which did not seem quite credible in her writing, and I think it was probably a truthful account within those limitations. At any rate, the general account is consistent with the other things I've read mentioning the organization.

[Edith Andersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew about this organization and had read about them before. It was a read that emerges the reader in the development of the group and the many contributions the group has made. It was a bit dry and didn't add much to what I knew about women's plight in Afghanistan.

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book challenges what I believe to be possible in human strength and courage. The women in this organization are so determined and powerful even under extreme oppression. It's very inspiring so far.