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The Other Side of Silence: A Memoir of Exile, Iran, and the Global Women's Movement Hardcover – 2 January 2023
by Mahnaz Afkhami (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (18)
When Mahnaz Afkhami picked up the phone in a New York hotel room early one morning in November 1978, she learned she could never go home again: she had been declared an apostate and enemy of the Iranian Revolution and was now on its death list. Afkhami, Iran's first minister for women's affairs, began to rebuild her life in the United States, becoming an architect of the women's movement in the Global South. Along the way, she encountered familial, cultural, political, and organizational hurdles that threatened to derail her quest to empower women and change the very structure of human relations. A skilled storyteller who has spent her life in two worlds, Mahnaz Afkhami shares her unexpected and meteoric rise from unassuming English professor to a champion of women's rights in Iran; the clash between Western feminists and those from the Global South; and the challenges of international women's rights work during the so-called war on terror. Her journey through exile shows what it takes to launch and sustain a worldwide grassroots movement: funding, an ever-expanding network, conferences, education, and decades of hard work that require individuals and organizations to persevere despite ongoing wars, humanitarian disasters, and climate change. Told with humor, honesty, and compassion, Afkhami's remarkable story illuminates the possibility of bringing achievement and choice to women across the world.
320 pages
Review
Afkhami's complexities and passion make even the driest policy discussions captivating. The result is a thought-provoking addition to the international women's rights shelf."--Publishers Weekly For more than 50 years, Afkhami has been a voice against injustice, violence, and oppression. She became the first and only minister of women's affairs in Iran and later helped develop the Foundation for Iranian Studies, which has played a significant role in scholarship about Iran. She has been a leading figure in the international women's movement and offers a valuable perspective on women's lives in the Global South and on the internal politics of various women's organizations, such as the Women's Learning Partnership, for which she serves as founder and president . . . . Recommended."--CHOICE The publication of Mahnaz Afkhami's memoir has turned out to be quite timely . . . . Afkhami is an engaging writer [whose memoir] illuminates an incredible depth of experience and offers an edifying example of the many complexities, constraints, and possibilities of local, regional, and transnational feminist organizing . . . . In looking back while remaining engaged and committed, Afkhami's book is a valuable contribution to and account of both Iranian and transnational feminisms." --Catherine Z. Sameh, The Middle East Journal
About the Author
Born in Kerman, Iran, Mahnaz Afkhami is the founder and president of Women's Learning Partnership, executive director of the Foundation for Iranian Studies, and former minister for women's affairs in Iran. She lives and works in Bethesda, Maryland.
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The Other Side of Silence: A Memoir of Exile, Iran, and the Global Women's Movement Hardcover – 2 January 2023
by Mahnaz Afkhami (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (18)
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When Mahnaz Afkhami picked up the phone in a New York hotel room early one morning in November 1978, she learned she could never go home again: she had been declared an apostate and enemy of the Iranian Revolution and was now on its death list. Afkhami, Iran's first minister for women's affairs, began to rebuild her life in the United States, becoming an architect of the women's movement in the Global South. Along the way, she encountered familial, cultural, political, and organizational hurdles that threatened to derail her quest to empower women and change the very structure of human relations. A skilled storyteller who has spent her life in two worlds, Mahnaz Afkhami shares her unexpected and meteoric rise from unassuming English professor to a champion of women's rights in Iran; the clash between Western feminists and those from the Global South; and the challenges of international women's rights work during the so-called war on terror. Her journey through exile shows what it takes to launch and sustain a worldwide grassroots movement: funding, an ever-expanding network, conferences, education, and decades of hard work that require individuals and organizations to persevere despite ongoing wars, humanitarian disasters, and climate change. Told with humor, honesty, and compassion, Afkhami's remarkable story illuminates the possibility of bringing achievement and choice to women across the world.
Product description
Review
Afkhami's complexities and passion make even the driest policy discussions captivating. The result is a thought-provoking addition to the international women's rights shelf."--Publishers Weekly For more than 50 years, Afkhami has been a voice against injustice, violence, and oppression. She became the first and only minister of women's affairs in Iran and later helped develop the Foundation for Iranian Studies, which has played a significant role in scholarship about Iran. She has been a leading figure in the international women's movement and offers a valuable perspective on women's lives in the Global South and on the internal politics of various women's organizations, such as the Women's Learning Partnership, for which she serves as founder and president . . . . Recommended."--CHOICE The publication of Mahnaz Afkhami's memoir has turned out to be quite timely . . . . Afkhami is an engaging writer [whose memoir] illuminates an incredible depth of experience and offers an edifying example of the many complexities, constraints, and possibilities of local, regional, and transnational feminist organizing . . . . In looking back while remaining engaged and committed, Afkhami's book is a valuable contribution to and account of both Iranian and transnational feminisms." --Catherine Z. Sameh, The Middle East Journal
About the Author
Born in Kerman, Iran, Mahnaz Afkhami is the founder and president of Women's Learning Partnership, executive director of the Foundation for Iranian Studies, and former minister for women's affairs in Iran. She lives and works in Bethesda, Maryland.
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From other countries
nmp
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book by an amazing woman
Reviewed in the United States on 12 October 2022
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is an amazing story, on so many levels – and it is especially important now, with the protests by women (and men) in Iran. This is also important because it is an eyewitness account, by the first Minister for Women’s Affairs in Iran and a woman who has been crucially involved in the global women’s rights movement for more than 50 years. Plus it is well written, engaging, and compelling.
I urge everyone who is interested in late 20th century history, the global women’s rights movement, and the Middle East to read this book. At a time when governments in Iran, the USA, and other countries are trying to control women and restrict their rights, this book is more important than ever.
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A. Karam
5.0 out of 5 stars An engaging read by and about a remarkable woman
Reviewed in the United States on 9 August 2023
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Although a legend and a giant women's human rights activist, policy maker, peacebuilder and expert negotiator, the book is written in an easy to read, engaging style. She speaks of challenging moments with unparalleled objectivity and empathy. One of the best instructive historical and contemporary memoir reflections I have read (and I read plenty). Book arrived quickly and given its content, likely on my Christmas gifts list too.
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Hamid
5.0 out of 5 stars A heroic tale of courage, determination and triumph!
Reviewed in the United States on 30 October 2022
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
A must read! On the one hand it is a beautifully written memoir; on the other, a tour de force covering a revolution, exile, and one person’s determination to effect change in the world. Bravo!!!
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D. Hench
4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping and inspiring story!
Reviewed in the United States on 19 February 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I have read her articles and posts from a think tank in Washington, D.C. and knew her book - her story would be a fantastic treat! It certainly was and took this reader into her experiences prior to the Iranian revolution in 1979. She truly takes the reader on a journey to understand the social progress she made for Iranian women in the 1970s and then have it destroyed by the Iranian revolution. Readers will not be disappointed and will relish each page.
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Ben Graham
5.0 out of 5 stars I learned so much
Reviewed in the United States on 13 May 2023
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Great narrative of her life and experiences in pre-revolutionary Iran.
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