i should have honor

A memoir of hope and pride in Pakistan.

 
 
 

More than a decade ago, an honor killing in my family set me up on the path to fight this gruesome custom through a series of powerful initiatives over the past 10 years. But even in all my fight for women’s rights, I was not able to talk about the experience that started it all. Until now.

3 years ago, when I fell in love with my beloved husband, I became the first love story in my entire tribe. That fact felt like a terrible injustice that sat in the pit of my stomach. Because when David/Daud and I got married, his love completely revolutionized my life. He left everything to join me in my goals for women and youth in Pakistan. I knew that in love I gained strength, and I should not be the only one.

My beloved encouraged me to speak my truth, to tell the story that has been weighing on my heart and soul for all these years. To tell the story of my parents and their childhood marriage, my cousin's murder, of the beauty of my country and the complexity of our society, and the deep sense of honor and what it leads people to do.

So 6 months into our marriage, we made our way to Sedona, cut ties with everyone, and started on the path to go back and revisit my life and write this very difficult journey in the form of a beautiful book.

 
 

Advance Praise for I Should Have Honor

“Fearless in her pursuit of
justice and equality.”

 
 
 

“Khalida Brohi’s moving story is a testament to what is possible no matter the odds. In her courageous activism and now in I Should Have Honor, Khalida gives a voice to the women and girls who are denied their own by society. This book is a true act of honor.”

—Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and founder of LeanIn.Org and OptionB.Org

“Khalida Brohi’s powerful storytelling exposes the little­-known world of tribal Pakistan and the injustices facing women there. With insight and determination, she explores the most entrenched social customs facing women today and shares her secrets for innovation, impact, and success. This story is timely not just for those who care about women’s rights but for anyone involved in activism, community mobilization, and social entrepreneurship.”

—Arianna Huffington, founder, HuffPost, and founder and CEO, Thrive Global

“Khalida Brohi understands the true nature of honor. She is fearless in her pursuit of justice and equality.”

— Malala Yousafzai , winner of the Nobel Peace Prize

“Khalida Brohi is a force of nature. Her story, in many ways, is beyond belief. It’s incredible that someone so young could achieve this much through passion and ingenuity.”

—Chris Anderson, Head of TED

“A truly essential book for our daughters and sisters, but even more essential for our sons and brothers… Brohi teaches all of us how to fight for justice, love, and the really radical idea of equal humanity without turning bitter or giving up on her past.”

—Elizabeth Weil, co­author of The Girl Who Smiled Beads