Het boek geeft een goed zicht op situatie in Afghanistan (De auteur is geboren in 1978 en beschrijft haar leven tot ca. 2009), vnl. op vlak van armoede, corruptie, politiek, de Amerikaanse inmenging en vrouwenrechten. Daarbij gaat veel aandacht naar haar eigen rol (logisch, het is een autobiogratie), maar mij stak het op het einde tegen. Ze lijkt ook nogal eenzijdig te kijken. Maar toch veel respect voor al haar durf, inzet en offers. ( )

Review from 2009

This is a useful and interesting book that made me consider the kinds of "governments" that western powers sometimes prop up. Having said that, if you are unfamiliar (as I am) with the history of Afghanistan and the ever-changing situation there since 911, this is a challenging text to read. I couldn’t keep track of the multiple warlords who play(ed) key roles in the corrupt government, and I certainly needed more background information about the figures in the Afghan parliament than the author provides here.

The author writes powerfully about the Afghan government’s heinous crimes against women, children, and the poor of the country. Her book makes one question what the role of other nations should be with respect to this country. How can the West really support this war-torn place? How can the most downtrodden be protected?

A skilled co-writer and better editing might have helped this become a clearer, more illuminating work. Having heard a number of interviews with Joya, a charismatic and galvanizing woman, I was surprised at some of the details and word choices here. The book gives the impression that Joya stands alone against the corrupt, that she is the only one who knows the truth about Islamic fundamentalists. Few other democratic Afghan voices are heard. Given her political success and the support she has received from the Afghan people, Joya has surely met with other thoughtful and dedicated "freedom fighters." It would have been appropriate to hear about them here. On another note: the frequent use of the word "martyrs" is frankly concerning and requires clarification for a western audience. ( )

Een informatief boek dat een kijkje geeft in de wijze waarop Afghanistan geregeerd wordt. Ik ben het met de schrijfster eens dat de bemoeienis van vreemde mogendheden met de gang van zaken in Afghanistan de situatie alleen maar erger heeft gemaakt. De arrogantie van Westerse mogendheden die menen hun vorm van democratie op te moeten leggen aan de inwoners van dit land. Zodra men de hielen gelicht heeft laat ment men een land in duigen achter dat nog verder van huis zal zijn dan daarvoor, alle inspanningen ten spijt.

Malalai Joya is the youngest and most famous female MP in Afghanistan, whose bravery and vision have won her an international following. She made world headlines with her very first speech, in which she courageously denounced the presence of warlords in the new Afghan government. She has spoken out for justice ever since, and for the rights of women in the country she loves. Raising My Voice shares her extraordinary story.

Born during the Russian invasion and spending her youth in refugee camps, Malalai Joya describes how she first became a political activist. When she returned to Afghanistan, the country was under the grip of the Taliban and she ran a secret school for girls. A popular MP with her constituents, she received global support when she was suspended from parliament in 2007 because of her forthright views.

Malalai Joya's work has brought her awards and death threats in equal measure. She lives in constant danger. In this gripping account, she reveals the truth about life in a country embroiled in war - especially for the women - and speaks candidly about the future of Afghanistan, a future that has implications for us all.

This woman is so much against the US. Everyone needs to read this. I think she is very brave to have written this book. With her comments against the Bush's and farthur on to the Obama adm. she is a scary person. I think she is peace loving although very very biased against the US. Also all the NATO powers. She thinks everyone should get out of Afghanistan because things are just getting worse. We are giving billions of dollars to the Taliban. i think the Taliban would have had her killed by now if she wasn't so biased against all the big powerful nations.