Shakar

Shakardokht Jafari

A Woman’s Journey from Afghanistan

‘Fascinating…an enticingly interesting read’ Sayeeda Warsi

Born in rural Afghanistan, Shakardokht Jafari became a refugee aged just six, after a harrowing half-year trek to Iran.

There, at twelve, she discovered she had been promised in marriage at birth to an older cousin. Resisting no fewer than three arranged marriages, she fought to choose her own husband, education and career, defying convention to study radiation technologies at Tehran University.

Returning to Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban, she was asked to re-establish a cancer facility in Kabul, which meant studying first for higher qualifications in the UK. With Islamist insurgency on the rise again, her lawyer husband fled to join her, driving a minicab to make ends meet.

The inventor of a method for improving outcomes of radiotherapy on cancer patients, Shakar has become one of Britain's leading medical entrepreneurs. Ironically, at the same time she has faced one of her biggest battles – to save her own health.

This remarkable woman, winner of a string of awards for business innovation, is also a leading campaigner for girls’ education in Afghanistan. She tells her extraordinary story with disarming candour.

‘A fascinating journey from rural Afghanistan to the world of research and academia in rural England. The juxtaposition of the personal and the political makes this an enticingly interesting read’ Baroness Warsi, former Foreign Office minister

‘Shakardokht Jafari’s journey from war to medicine will inspire many. This is a wonderful book and a darn good read that ultimately makes us all want to do better’ Deborah Ellis, author of The Breadwinner

‘A deeply emotional and inspiring book that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. A must-read for anyone interested in the history, culture, and politics of Afghanistan and a timely reminder of the resilience and strength of Afghan women’ Waseem Mahmood, author of Good Morning Afghanistan

Paperback: 224pp

Published: Eye (July 2023)

ISBN: 9781785633553