Half the Sky

When I read a really good book, one that changes how I see things, I have to talk about it.  In this case, blog about it.  Recently, I read Half the Sky, by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn.

It's about how women and girls in other parts of the world are oppressed.  The authors take you through Africa and Asia and tell true stories.  Some involving sex trafficking, violence, prostitution, drugs, maternal mortality, and how women are not allowed to get an education in many cultures, societies.  But there are also stories of how it takes one person to care about them, and one by one, people help change these tragedies around and give hope to the seemingly hopeless.  It is so inspiring to read about women who are kicked so far down, but are helped and thrive when someone cares enough to give aid.

Some of it is hard to read, but necessary.  When I started to feel it was difficult to read because of the harshness of it, I thought to myself, "hard for you to read but imagine how hard it was for this person to actually live this."  That helped me push forward.  The stories also show, when a woman is given the opportunity to improve her situation, she doesn't squander it, she runs with it and thrives.

The title I thought was interesting too.  It refers to someone saying that women hold up half the sky.  If you have a chance to read it, please do.  For me, it is essential reading.  It’ll change how you view women in the world and how they are treated.  And it’ll make you want to do something about it.  More needs to be done about this crime against humanity.  Because it’s not just a woman issue, it is a human issue.  

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject.  Please leave comments you’d like to share.  If you’d like to learn more, go to www.halftheskymovement.org.