We Are Afghan Women: Voices of Hope

Written by George W. Bush Institute

Narrated by Pam Ward

Afghanistan has been described as "the worst nation in the world to be a woman." More than fifty percent of girls who are forced into marriage are sixteen or younger. Too many women live in fear, and in many areas education and employment for women are still condemned. The women featured in We Are Afghan Women are fighting to change all that. From rug weavers to domestic violence counselors to business owners, educators, and activists, these courageous women are charting a new path for themselves, their families, their communities, and their nation.

Meet Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, who ran underground schools for girls until the Taliban fell, and today has established educational centers across Afghanistan to teach women and girls basic literacy. Or Freshta Hazeq, who as a female business owner has faced death threats, sabotage, and even kidnapping threats against her children. Here too you will find the story of Naheed Farid, the youngest female member of Afghanistan's parliament.

With an introduction by former first lady Laura Bush, We Are Afghan Women chronicles the lives of the determined women who are defying the odds to lead Afghanistan to a better future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Mar 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9781515973942

Reviews for We Are Afghan Women

[vaterolsen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This audiobook features the biographies of many Afghan women who are working to change the Afghan culture such that women may contribute to society and be respected as equal citizens. This history runs from the time of invasion by the Soviet Union to current time. Change is made at a slow rate and within the culture such that opposition is minimized. The book left me both impressed by the strength of character in the women highlighted and aware of the slowness of change.A single narrator, Pam Ward, narrates the entire audiobook. While she is a good narrator, the multiple biographies could lend themselves to several different narrators.This audiobook is encoded in MP-3 format which made it easy to listen to on my auto MP-3 ready player. It was nice not to have to switch CDs over the 10 hour play time. This feature may make it impossible or difficult for people to play depending on their equipment and tech skills.Compiled by the George W. Bush Institute

[dtwoodford · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I received an audio book as a member give away from Library Thing for which I am greatly appreciative.After reading the comments of other Library Thing Early Reviewers I found that I agreed with most comments about the book. I will add that I was so surprised by the single narrator that I purchased the book to read these stories imagining the generationally diverse voices of hope. I am glad I had this hardcover option and experienced a wonderful read.

[weeziesbooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The stories told in this collection are indeed intense and difficult and yet hopeful. They show the resilience of Afghan women, or perhaps women anywhere, when faced with terribly difficult circumstances and horrible injustices. At times I found the narration to be a bit slow and redundant but when listened to in a more individualized sitting,t they were uplifting and a call for all of us to action. I have read much of the plight of Afghan women but this collection seemed to resonate with me.

[difreda · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An Audiobook, The Bush Institute has assembled stories of how Afghan women have been empowered since the US intervention against the Taliban in 2001. As I listen to these very compelling narratives of how women's roles have changed I find myself wondering if these were fleeting moments of hope or permanent societal changes which will ipact the fabric of that society. This is a very relevant collection of stories with deep social meaning for all - particlarly those in the West. There are no things to be taken for granted as in America in Afghan women's lives - but there is change. I look forward to the 2020 version - with great tales of reformation. This is eye-opening and transformative in content. Listen!

[jmapatterson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this as a give-away from Library Thing.I very much enjoyed it as it not only told the stories of amazing women, who dared to strive for a better life and education, but very often their stories also included references to the history of their country. This provided a much bigger context, of the long rooted ethnic and family traditions which they dared to challenge. Each woman had their own story, but together, they, through reaching down and pulling up young women who followed them, are making a difference. And how so many of them are also affecting how men, beginning with their own families, are beginning to perceive women in a different way. The only reason for a four, not five, star rating is that I personally found the narrator's voice somewhat grating, especially since it is a 10 hour long cd. Listening to her for the length of a newscast would be ok, but for the 10 hour long cd I found it a bit grating.

[bogreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This audiobook features the biographies of many Afghan women who are working to change the Afghan culture such that women may contribute to society and be respected as equal citizens. This history runs from the time of invasion by the Soviet Union to current time. Change is made at a slow rate and within the culture such that opposition is minimized. The book left me both impressed by the strength of character in the women highlighted and aware of the slowness of change.A single narrator, Pam Ward, narrates the entire audiobook. While she is a good narrator, the multiple biographies could lend themselves to several different narrators.This audiobook is encoded in MP-3 format which made it easy to listen to on my auto MP-3 ready player. It was nice not to have to switch CDs over the 10 hour play time. This feature may make it impossible or difficult for people to play depending on their equipment and tech skills.Compiled by the George W. Bush Institute