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Zarifa

A Woman's Battle in a Man's World

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About this listen

Zarifa Ghafari was three years old when the Taliban banned girls from schools, and she began her education in secret. She was seven when American airstrikes began. She was twenty-six when she became mayor—the only female mayor in the country—of Maidan Wardak, Kabul. An extremist mob barred her from her office; her male staff walked out in protest; assassins tried to kill her six times. Through it all, Zarifa stood her ground. She ended corruption in the province, promoted peace, and tried to lift up women, despite constant fear for herself and her family. When the Taliban took Kabul in 2021, Ghafari had to flee. But even that couldn't stop her. Six months later, she returned, to continue her work empowering women.

Zarifa is an astonishing memoir that offers an unparalleled perspective of the last two decades in Afghanistan from a citizen, daughter, woman and mayor. Written with honesty, pain, and ultimately, hope, Zarifa describes the work she did, the women she still tries to help as they live under Taliban rule, and her vision for how grassroots activism can change their lives and the lives of women everywhere.

©2022 Zarifa Ghafari (P)2022 Hachette Audio UK
Islamic Heritage Politicians Politics & Activism Women

Critic reviews

"Zarifa will break your heart." (Christina Lamb, author of Our Bodies, Their Battlefields and I Am Malala)

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If there is any possibility for this planet to achieve a peaceful co-existance and equal rights and respect for all humans, it will only happen with selfless heroes like Zarifa , the people who support them and the courage to know and accept it is a long, hard and painful journey. God bless these amazing folks...you are special lady, indeed!

An amazing young woman...and story

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