Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn is a must-read.
“These stories show us the power and resilience of women who would have every reason to give up but never do. They will be an inspiration for anyone who reads this book, and a model for those fighting for justice around the world. You will not want to put this book down,” Angelina Jolie on Half the Sky.
It reads like fiction because the gory tales of oppression against women are almost unbelievable but fiction it is not.
Half the Sky is a must read for everyone with a heart for women and the struggles that we face.
With Kristof’s vivid, graphic and poignant writing, the book will bring readers to the dark rooms of brothels in Cambodia; to a village in India ruled by a man who slices women’s breasts and tears them apart; to maternity wards that see women dying many times a day; to the Nepalese border where women are trafficked as sex slaves; to filthy homes of brothel owners and to the dingy cubicles of prostitutes.
More importantly, it gives a concrete picture of the suffering that women, who are forced into prostitution and white slavery, endure.
The authors also came up with a “follow-through," providing readers the opportunity to help in the fight against oppression against women.
Readers can go to the Half the Sky Movement for links and tips on how to be able to help women worldwide.
It is a must read for every global citizen because as a Chinese proverb had said, "women hold up half the sky."
Thanks Iris, I’ll try to get a hold of this one after I finish the pile of books already planned for the summer.
Do you have your favourite story from Half the Sky?
Great book, Iris. Thanks for that! It is on my list now.
I’m on tenterhooks to check the “follow-through” you mentioned.
@Giedre,
Yes, make sure you get this. I like the chapter on prostitution. It said that rescuing girls is the easy part. And then they come back to the brothels for lack of gainful opportunities, to get back to the drugs and because of the stigma of the community.
@Luan,
It is really a good book and very, very well written. Anyone with respect to women should read this.
Iris, also getting one copy. And will pass it on once I´ve finished it.
Thanks Radka,
It’s really worth it. Truly, a page turner.
Hello Iris,
I haven’t read the book (yet), but I would like to adjust the Chinese proverb:
“Women hold up more sky then men”.
Isn’t it that most misery in the world is caused by males? I am one myself but I certainly believe so.
Johan,
It takes courage for a man to acknowledge that. Kudos! Needless to say, I totally agree.
Great. I’m gonna order this and read it ASAP. I’ve been looking for a great book on this topic, so thanks for highlighting it.
Johan, a few months ago I did an interview with a group of London’s pro-feminist men. What stroke me most was at some point, one of them said: “It’s very painful to be in the position of oppressor, knowing that half of the world is scared of you.”
This was a super exciting moment for me. I couldn’t help but exclaim: “How much courage it takes to admit you are the oppressor, and how brave you have to be to voluntarily refuse from your privileged position in the society!”
Respect.
@Giedre,
Hold on…..
I have never seen myself as an oppressor. Nor do I feel I have a privileged position in society as a man. Yet, I still believe what I said in my first comment.
@Interesting Giedre but I hear what you’re saying too Johan. Bottomline, it really is a good book and I do believe that you are not an oppressor Johan the fact that you have admitted that women hold more than half the sky
@Johan, I am not calling you an oppressor, nor am I organising a witch trial here.
I wrote what I wrote because your comment above reminded me of this story which for me personally was really fascinating. Thus, I wanted to share it on this platform.
This oppression issue is so complex that it needs a proper, organised discussion. A sort of TH!NK5, as TH!NK4 would be on biodiversity as someone suggested.
Who could be a part of this world without the life taking efforts of a woman? We all should respect women next to god. Unfortunately, women are spending miserable lives even after compromising everything. The books like “Half the Sky” point our carelessness to them. I appreciate the effort and encourage this kind of efforts from the core of my heart. Keep this going. And it is our responsibility to be aware of the oppressions women have to face from this book so that we can raise our voice against all these.
Who could be a part of this world without the life taking efforts of a woman? We all should respect women next to god. Unfortunately, women are spending miserable lives even after compromising everything. The books like “Half the Sky” point our carelessness to them. I appreciate the effort and encourage this kind of efforts from the core of my heart. Keep this going. And it is our responsibility to be aware of the oppressions women have to face from this book so that we can raise our voice against all these. Debt consolidation
Who could be a part of this world without the life taking efforts of a woman? We all should respect women next to god. Unfortunately, women are spending miserable lives even after compromising everything. The books like “Half the Sky” point our carelessness to them. I appreciate the effort and encourage this kind of efforts from the core of my heart. Keep this going. And it is our responsibility to be aware of the oppressions women have to face from this book so that we can raise our voice against all these. http://www.bestdebtcare.com/forum.php
Scott,
Thanks for your comment! And thank you so much for believing in us, women. It means a lot.
Cheers.