Marzia

Marzia Babakarkhail was a judge in Afghanistan for seven years before becoming a member of the board and chair of the Women's Committee of the Afghan NGO's Coordination Bureau. Now living in the UK, she is a caseworker for a member of Parliament and is a lifelong women's rights activist and advocate. Babakarkhail appears on the BBC and other news outlets as a spokesperson for Afghan women. Pamela Say is a nonprofit consultant and serves as a book coach, writer, and editor for emerging authors through her consulting firm. She is the author of five books and spent more than six months interviewing and collaborating with Marzia Babakarkhail to tell her story.

• List of Illustrations 1. The Reign of Afghanistan’s Last King: 1970s 2. Kabul University, Faculty of Sharia; 1985–88 3. Family Court Judge, Sharia Law, Puli Khumrī: Early 1990s 4. The Afghan Women Social and Cultural Organization: 1994 5. Attack on Puli Khumrī: June 1997 6. A Refugee in Pakistan: 1997–2001 7. A Trip to America: 2005 8. Assassination Attempt and Asylum: 2007 9. Rise of an International Activist: The 2000s 10. The Fall of Kabul: August 15, 2021 11. The Campaign to Be a Voice for the Voiceless: 2021–24 12. Judges Update and the State of Women in Afghanistan: 2024 Epilogue: A Letter to Eva Bibliography

"Marzia Babakarkhail's life story is one of tenacity, integrity, and hope. . . . She is a true hero of Afghanistan. Reading her story will make you think, What would I have done in the same circumstances? It will challenge your values and whether you'd be prepared to give up everything to live those values."—Debbie Abrahams, member of the UK Parliament"Marzia is more than a story of survival. It is a story of a woman whose bravery, kindness, and unshakable belief in justice changed countless lives."—Deeyah Kahn, Emmy and Peabody Award–winning documentary filmmaker"Judge Marzia Babakarkhail is a hero to so many women, including me. No one should miss a chance to learn more about her story. Marzia conveys the triumph and tragedy a whole nation of Afghan women and girls has experienced in recent decades, all through the lens of her extraordinary life."—Heather Barr, associate director of the Women's Rights Division at Human Rights Watch"Liaising with governments all over the world, being available 24/7 in different time zones and under great pressure, Marzia Babakarkhail is an ardent advocate working tirelessly on behalf of her colleagues, fueled by the fire in her bones to see justice done."—Marijke Hoek, theologian"This powerful memoir chronicles the extraordinary journey of Marzia Babakarkhail, a pioneering Afghan family court judge who stood defiantly at the crossroads of law, activism, and resistance. . . . More than a memoir, this is a call for justice and a testament to the indomitable strength of Afghan women who refuse to be erased."—Rina Amiri, former U.S. special envoy for Afghan women, girls, and human rights; cofounder and principle for the Alliance of Diplomacy and Justice"This compelling story sheds light on Marzia Babakarkhail's fight for justice, her enduring connection to her roots, and her remarkable ability to turn adversity into triumph. A tale of grit and perseverance, her life is a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit. A thoroughly gripping read!"—Nerissa Roberts, head of faculty for English for Speakers of Other Languages at Oldham College"This is a story not just of one brave judge's plight but that of millions of Afghan women whose rights and voices continue to be eroded by the Taliban. Marzia is about the tireless activism, fight for justice, and Afghan spirit that persist even in the darkest of times, and which continue to hold the international community and those in power to account."—Ruth Green, journalist who has worked for the International Bar Association's Global Insight and freelanced for The Guardian"Whilst it will take more than a generation to undo the harm and depravity perpetrated on all Afghans by the Taliban, Marzia Babakarkhail offers hope. She reminds us we can play a part."—Karen Badcock, neuropsychologist"Marzia Babakarkhail's life story is one of formidable strength and courage in the face of incredible adversity and the worst sort of misogyny. It will inspire those who campaign for women's rights across the world and all those who 'campaign to be a voice for the voiceless,' particularly refugees and asylum seekers."—Joanna Cherry, lawyer and former member of Parliament for Edinburgh South West and former chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights"Beautifully written, this memoir paints a vivid picture of the women in Afghanistan during the past fifty years, through the remarkable life of one woman who refused to give in or give up. . . . It is also a testimony to the power of friendship and the love of family even in the most difficult of circumstances, and the strength and determination of a woman who, despite assassination attempts, refuses to give up her dream of women's equality."—Nikki van der Gaag, independent gender consultant and senior fellow at Equimundo: Center for Masculinities and Social Justice