In my experience, men who understand women seem to rarely want to have anything to do with them.

Like a compass needle that points north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman. Always.

Afghanistan is doomed if women are barred once again from public life.

Learn this now and learn it well. Like a compass facing north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam.

‎I know you're still young but I want you to understand and learn this now. Marriage can wait, education cannot. You're a very very bright girl. Truly you are. You can be anything you want Laila. I know this about you. And I also know that when this war is over Afghanistan is going to need you as much as its men maybe even more. Because a society has no chance of success if its women are uneducated Laila. No chance.

Literary fiction is kept alive by women. Women read more fiction, period.