Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

Half the Sky Book Review I "read"--listened to this book in the unabridged audio version is 10.5 hrs on 8 CDs, very well read by Cassandra Compbell, by HighBridgeaudio.com This book was an easy read, although the topic is not normally one I would choose. It was enthralling--hopeful and uplifting and often stories are told first-hand through the eyes of those women rather than the world. I listened to it end to end--during my commute. It's well-written and well-told. You will not put this down. It might even compel you to action-- knowing that even a tiny action can help change the world one human being at a time. What the book's about: The Problem: How can a country and culture or the world thrive, when half its resources go untapped? When half of our world is debased and marginalized, and not permitted to actively participate in society, the world is a poorer place. We are talking about the female in society within less developed parts of the world. Mass and gang rapes (including as a war tactic), kidnapping, sex trafficking & brothels, the cult of virginity and the hymen, sexual honor in the mid-east, honor killing, and genital mutilation and cutting---take place daily against our female sisters globally. Like slavery, females are devalued as human beings in many cultures and countries. Women hold just 1% of land that is titled, according to the United Nations. They have no opportunity to contribute to society in a meaningful way. This book tells us that when half the people of the world are allowed to contribute, the difference is markedly positive for a country's GDP and its people. These countries that devalue women include Pakistan, China, India, Liberia, Africa, Eastern Europe and SE Asia. Change Makers Empowerment and education are the steps to preventing these behaviors, and family planning and birth control, including education to reduce family size. The availability and funding of condoms to prevent AIDS in poor countries. Grassroots social movements are far more effective than laws and large aid $$$ that don't reach the poor. Societal issues against women are a cultural norm, and that does not change even with the laws say otherwise. Education helps change oppressive culture. The U.S. sometimes is seen as sitting in moral judgment when there might be better actions to help stem this tide. Capitalism achieves more than what charity and good intentions sometimes cannot: Micro credit loans are a revolution, in helping people help themselves. This book shares online sites where you can lookup and participate in this micro lending right down to the country, town and woman. Double Standards in Society There is a double standard regarding sexism and misogyny for female vs. male population Women are lured by false promises of jobs, that turn out to be rape-run brothels. In addition to the act of rape itself, there is a social stigma attached to rape and the victim often is cast out by her family and village. Rape victims are punished not the perpetrators and often women are forced to marry their attackers (and no one else will have them). There is no protection from police, courts, or the public. There is a high rate of female infanticide. Just by being female, fetuses are often aborted, babies allowed to die, or through-out their lives, receive less (or no) medical care vs. males. Women also grow up to be the perpetrators of these same crimes against other women. Women who are damaged physically by rape or childbirth or disease are abandoned as modern-day lepers, especially females in poor rural areas. High rates of death occur among these same women during child birth. Health care is poor overall, and women receive the lowest (or no) priority. Some countries have young females paired up with old "Sugar Daddies" -with a trade off of material goods for sex. Middle aged men take teenagers as baubles in exchange for money and gifts. These older men are more likely to have AIDS and pass it on. There is a shortage of doctors, supplies and facilities in many countries. Conservative religious attitudes related to culture are repressive to women. Sexual abuse, arranged marriage, and virginity testing are all practices that contribute to the problem Bottom Line: This book outlines the problem, and some solutions that have shown success, and how we can get involved at any level. Go to the end for explicit referrals where you can source for where and how you can help--on any level.

I was able to read most of an advance copy of this book before Bill Drayton (founder of Ashoka: Innovators for the Public) snatched it away and ran off with it on his annual 2-week hiking trip to the mountains. I think this has to be the most important book - not just for women's rights globally but for human rights - published in my memory. Kristof and WuDunn weave together a most compelling story of how culture and customs historically suppress women. They tackle many tough, taboo topics - for example honor killing. But more importantly, they champion the stories of heroic women worldwide wholly committed to changing the many evils of the status quo. What is more, they posit a kind of general framework theory that the really important advances in human rights that are going to be made in the near future are going to be brought about by these entrepreneurial pioneering women. In essence, that the backbone of the human rights movement and of real change across all societies is going to be a direct function of brave women who give themselves permission to say "NO" to thousands of years of (to most Westerners) unimaginable oppressive cultural customs and who take it upon themselves to lead to a new way. Once you have read the book, it is very hard, if not impossible, to disagree with Kristof and WuDunn's general theme. To wit, the brave women of Iran who took to the streets to protest the results of the recent election. Among many other "super" women, HALF THE SKY spotlights the following inspirational Ashoka Fellows: · Sunitha Krishnan (India), founder of Prajwala, a citizen sector organization in Hyderabad, India, fighting forced prostitution and sex trafficking, rescuing women and children from sexual exploitation, incestual rape, sexual torture, and abuse in prostitution. Her organization helps former prostitutes learn vocational skills so they can move into new careers. "Prajwala" means "an eternal flame". · Sakena Yacoobi (Afghanistan), founder of the Afghan Institute of Learning, a citizen sector organization providing teacher training to Afghan women, educating and fostering education for girls and boys, and providing health education to women and children. Her organization also runs fixed and mobile health clinics that provide family planning services. Sakena holds the distinction of having been Ashoka's first Afghan Fellow. Educating women and girls was banned under the Taliban and is controversial under Islamic law. · Roshaneh Zafar (Pakistan), founder of Pakistani microfinance lender, Kashf. A former World Bank employee, she was inspired after a chance meeting with Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank. "Kashf" means "miracle" and Kashf is indeed fostering a miracle by leveraging microfinance to women to transform the role of women in Pakistani society and bringing about a poverty-free world. To date, Kashf supports 305,038 families in Pakistan, has disbursed $202 million, and has 52 branches nationwide. I am not alone in my enthusiasm for this book! Last Tuesday, September 15, 2009 from 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ("UNODC") will be hosting a panel discussion and booksigning with Mr. Kristof and Ms. WuDunn in the UN Trusteeship Council Chamber at UN Headquarters. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will deliver opening remarks. Every seat (550) in the Trusteeship Council Chamber was filled. The buzz out there is that many people are coming and that everyone is very excited about the publication and significance of this extraordinary milestone work. Five out of five stars. An absolute must read for anyone who cares about women's rights or human rights. A genuine eye popper that moves so fast, tackles so much that has hitherto been taboo and unmovable, and interweaves the unbelievably positive stories of the very heroic women already leading and creating change in a tapestry that is glimpse of a brave and very different, humanitarian new world. Once you pick this book up, you will not be able to put it down. And once you have read it, you will be moved to help bring about tomorrow. Absolute proof that the glass (or the sky) is half full. We just have to give ourselves permission to make change. Or as Gandhi said, "we must be the change we wish to see." BUY IT. READ IT. PASS IT AROUND.

even though I don't agree with everything the authors say the stories told and the way they were told made it an excellent read. this is not an easy-to-read book in the sense that it's not pleasant at all. most of the stories are really tragic and maybe disheartening. what I really liked is that each chapter is divided in 2: the first par tells the story and the reality. the second part tells you what you can do to change this situation by joining forces with someone else who is already helping out. so in the end, the reader, is not only informed but also encouraged to take action. I love the way the book was written and I think it's a must-read for everyone who wants to be an informed global citizen and make this world a better place for everyone.

Good collection

An absorbing, heart-breaking, powerful read, describing the lives of millions of women around the world. I was moved to tears on many occasions, and I will not be the same again after learning of the horrible reality (and vast extent) of sex slavery, rape as a means of war, cultural misogyny, inadequate maternal care leading to preventable deaths..... and the list goes on. Yet the book offers hope, and change is possible and we can all be a part of it. I recommend it to everyone with a conscience.

Este libro me encantó porque cuenta con mucho detalle las situaciones de mujeres alrededor del mundo. Para alguien como yo que está estudiando Relaciones Internacionales, este libro da un muy buen panorama de las dificultades sociales, culturales y religiosas que enfrentan las mujeres. Además de que está increíblemente bien documentado, las experiencias de Nicholas y Sheryl son lección sobre las cosas que todos podemos hacer para ayudar a mejorar la situación de mujeres alrededor del mundo. A pesar de que el tema es difícil, el tono del libro es optimista y te alienta en vez de deprimirte; eso me gustó muchísimo.

Dieses Buch ist sehr spannend. Konnte es kaum aus den Händen legen. Es hat teilweise wirklich grausame Inhalte aber dann gibt es wieder so Momente wo man denkt: Faith in humanity restored. Das besondere an diesem Buch ist dass es beispiele nennt, Lebensgeschichten von Frauen. Damit werden dann einzeln Ansätze erklärt wie man was verbessern kann um den Frauen zu helfen. Absolut inspirierend.