Must Read!! Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

Two weeks ago, my mom came to visit, who is fabulous, I might add. Every time she visits she always stocks my fridge, redecorates, spoils me with delicious meals out AND buys me all the books she hears about in the New York Times. Often times I save these books for a rainy day or when I’m lucky enough to not be swamped by exams and paper writing. But this time it was different. After a delightful mocha and piece of “Death by Chocolate” at Kraemer’s books in Dupont, we picked up Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sharyel WuDunn. Unlike previous books generously purchased by my mother, I could not put this book down. I read it on the metro, while walking to class (sorry to anyone I ignored or bumped into), laying in bed, everywhere! It was that unbelievable.

Peppered with inspiring quotes and even more inspiring stories of women around the world, Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn’s Half the Sky is aimed at raising awareness about the oppression of women world wide. Focusing on the sex trafficking and prostitution; maternal mortality and failing health care; and gender-based violence, this book exposes the horrific realities faced by women around the world, the steps being taken to stop it, and what is left to be done.

The full title of the book is Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. It is no wonder that I was so inspired by this book. Not only does Kristof and WuDunn show how women in these poverty stricken, patriarchal, and violent countries create opportunity for themselves, it shows how you can help them and others fight this oppression. In her , Angelina Jolie speaks to this, saying Half the Sky “shows that unimaginable challenges are often met with breathtaking bravery.”

George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Tom Brokaw, and Melinda Gates all agree that after reading this book, you can’t help but rise up and take action to help these women, “to rise up and say ‘No more!’ to the 17th-century abuses to girls and women in the 21st-century world.” (Tom Brokaw)

Take your first step towards fighting the global oppression of women by purchasing Half the Sky. Or you canget involved by joining the movement! www.halftheskymovement.org Read more reviews, more stories, and find out what you can do to help! (All of the organizations mentioned in the book have links on the site.)

About the Authors: Nicholas Kristof writes an Op-Ed column in the New York Times. Sheryl WuDunn is an investment advisor with a focus on philanthropy. Together, they won a Pulitzer Prize for their coverage of China.

P.S. Thanks mom :)

photo credit halftheskymovement.org