Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

"It is impossible to realize our goals while discriminating against half the human race. As study after study has taught us, there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women."

    -Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General in 2006

I read this book some years ago, likely before 2012 when I began this blog. It was first recommended to me by a friend who is a former missionary to Africa. It was so memorable, I suggested it for this year's Page Turner list.

I have rated Half the Sky a 4. It is well-researched and well-written although I cannot say enjoyable. It is both heart-breaking and inspiring, covering some very disturbing topics. In the Introduction, the author says, "We will try to lay out an agenda for the world's women focusing on three particular abuses: sex trafficking and forced prostitution; gender-based violence, including honor killings and mass rape; and maternal mortality, which still needlessly claims one woman a minute. We will lay out solutions such as girls' education and microfinance which are working right now." This, I believe, serves as a down and dirty summary of the book. The book was published in 2008 so hopefully there has been improvement in these areas by now but I would imagine too much of the neglect and abuse still happens.

The most memorable and inspiring parts of the book are the individual stories of African and Asian women who have suffered some of these horrors but have survived to help others and even to establish organizations to reach beyond their own communities. The authors are very clear about recruiting readers to help in what has been named the Half the Sky Movement, titling the final chapter "What You Can Do" and including pages of charities and organizations that welcome donations and/or volunteers. That final chapter begins with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

I look forward to hearing the reactions of the other Page Turners when we meet. I shall return...

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When Page Turners met to discuss Half the Sky, the discussion was enlightening and enthusiastic despite the fact some members didn't like the book. The main criticisms were that the book was dated, and the content was difficult to read. We wished we had some current statistics to show progress in the areas covered. The ratings ran the gamut---5 to 1 with an average of 3.5. A number of participants gave it a 4 as I did. I believe most of us thought it was important information even though it is disturbing to think about. We shared some thoughts about what we could do including helping a local mission to help women who have been trafficked.