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A Ms. Magazine Pick for Most Anticipated Feminist Books of 2023“Pashtanas story highlights the resourcefulness and bravery of young women in Afghanistan. I hope readers will be inspired by her mission to give every girl the education she deserves and the opportunity to pursue her dreams.”—Malala Yousafzai  In the spirit of I am Malala and Our House is On Fire by Greta Thunberg, this is the astonishing true story of the Malala Fund Education Champion Award-winner, founder of the NGO LEARN, and womens education activist whose advocacy for the disappearing girls of rural Afghanistan has led to her being ruthlessly targeted by the Taliban.   Inspired by generations of her familys unwavering belief in the power of education, Pashtana Durrani recognized her calling early in life: to educate Afghanistans girls and young women, raised in a society where learning is forbidden. In a country devastated by war and violence, where girls are often married off before reaching their teenage years and prohibited from leaving their homes, heeding that call seemed both impossible and dangerous.   Pashtana was raised in an Afghan refugee camp in Pakistan where her father, a tribal leader, founded a community school for girls within their home. Fueled by his insistence that despite being a girl, she mattered and deserved an education, Pashtana was sixteen when, against impossible odds, she was granted a path out of the refugee camp: admittance to a preparatory program at Oxford. Unthinkably and to her parents horror, she chose a different path. She chose Afghanistan.   Pashtana founded the nonprofit LEARN and developed a program for getting educational materials directly into the hands of girls in remote areas of the country, training teachers in digital literacy. Her commitment to education has made her a target of the Taliban. Still, she continues to fight for womens education and autonomy in Afghanistan and beyond.   Courageous and inspiring, Last to Eat, Last to Learn is the story of how just one person can transform a family, a tribe, a country. It reminds us of the emancipatory power of learning and the transformational potential that lies within each of us.

In the heart-wrenching memoir, "Last to Eat, Last to Learn: My Life in Afghanistan Fighting to Educate Women," Pashtana Durrani recounts her extraordinary journey as a young girl growing up in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, where education for girls was forbidden.

Born into a conservative Pashtun family, Pashtana's life was circumscribed by tradition and gender roles. Yet, she dared to dream of a different future, one where girls could learn and pursue their aspirations. With unwavering determination, she defied the oppressive regime, risking her life to attend secret schools and nurture her love of learning.

Pashtana's memoir offers a poignant insight into the lives of Afghan women under the Taliban's brutal rule. She vividly portrays the fear, poverty, and discrimination that pervaded everyday life, especially for women and girls. Despite the constant threat of violence and persecution, Pashtana remained resilient, finding solace in books and the power of education.

Her story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Afghan people, particularly the women who have fought tirelessly for their rights. Pashtana's unwavering commitment to education, even in the face of unimaginable adversity, serves as an inspiration to all who believe in the transformative power of knowledge.

"Last to Eat, Last to Learn" is not just a memoir; it is a clarion call for action. Pashtana's story highlights the urgent need to address the systemic barriers that prevent millions of girls around the world from accessing education. It is a reminder that education is a fundamental human right and that every child, regardless of gender, deserves the opportunity to learn and grow.

As we read Pashtana's words, we are transported to a world where hope flickers amidst darkness, where the courage of one girl challenges the status quo and sets the stage for a brighter future. "Last to Eat, Last to Learn" is a must-read for anyone who cares about human rights, education, and the indomitable spirit of the human will.