Dr. Sharifa Sharif was born and raised in Afghanistan, where she and her family lived in many urban and rural areas. Dr. Sharif studied Pashto literature in Kabul and later, comparative literature in the United States, where she became immersed in learning about feminism, justice and freedom. Since then she has become a dual Afghan-Canadian citizen and has worked as a teacher, counsellor for abused women, cultural advisor, radio host, and politician. Now living near Toronto, Dr. Sharif works as a journalist and community activist.