Bitter Roots, Tender Shoots: The Uncertain Fate of Afghnistan's Women

by Sally Armstrong

Everyone knows that Canada’s military is in Afghanistan, but what they don’t know is how much the average Canadian is contributing to aid efforts in that country. In Bitter Roots, Tender Shoots, respected journalist Sally Armstrong revisits Afghanistan to compare women’s lives pre- and post-Taliban, interviewing Afghan and Western women who are dedicated to improving health, education, culture, religion, and human rights. Armstrong connects these stories with the analysis of experts and considers the grassroots efforts of Canadians and the dedicated tax dollars being spent by the Canadian government. Bitter Roots, Tender Shoots is a moving portrayal of the lives of women and girls in Afghanistan in 2008.

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle East, International, Essays, Canada, War

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horror, sadness, hope, fear, hope some more, many bravos and then finally around page 200 a story that made me actually cry.
This update on women’s lives in Afghanistan is now 5 years old as I read it. For me it is valuable as a snapshot of from-there-to-here, to understand the road not just the destination. In 2008, we see that there is a desire for change, brave activists and the expected reactionary forces at work. The women themselves are just finding their feet and their voices. They are not yet united or organized, not yet even in agreement. It is still in the stage of the brave beginnings and awful backlash. The country needs fixing, deeply. The emphasis is on the women but we see clearly that helping women means fixing everything else that is dysfunctional in this country.
Of special interest for me is the Canadian perspective. We see where some of our tax dollars are used, what our military has done and what Canadians have done from their own hearts and wallets. Books with Wings is the story that made me cry.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really loved this insight into Afghanistan, and loved more the Canadian connection - the stories about how Canadians have helped but also the way Sally Armstrong discusses violence against women as it happens in all societies, not just middle eastern ones.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling book!

[Kathleen McRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that gave a good account of the situation in Afghanistan for women. Well written