If you haven't heard about Half the Sky, the book, the documentary, or the the movement, it's time to check it out. Named for the Chinese proverb that says "women hold up half the sky," the book explores the global injustices against women. Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn suggest that the world suffers morally and economically by preventing women from holding up their half of the sky.
Girls and women, especially in developing countries, face extreme poverty, oppression, and violence. The authors take you beyond the words to introduce you to the harsh stories of individuals. As difficult as their situations are, these women are working hard to survive and to thrive.
This week, a PBS documentary based on Half the Sky aired October 1 and 2. If you missed it, it will be shown online at the PBS website through October 9 and 10, and it will be available on video. Take a few minutes to view the trailer. You will meet women in 10 countries who are fighting back against brutal situations. It also shows that all of us can have a positive impact on problems around the world.
In addition to the questions asked of the two presidential candidates in their first debates, we may need to ask ourselves what we should demand of these male leaders in terms of fighting injustices against women. We can't suppress half the world's population and begin to achieve our best social, political or financial goals.
Girls and women, especially in developing countries, face extreme poverty, oppression, and violence. The authors take you beyond the words to introduce you to the harsh stories of individuals. As difficult as their situations are, these women are working hard to survive and to thrive.
This week, a PBS documentary based on Half the Sky aired October 1 and 2. If you missed it, it will be shown online at the PBS website through October 9 and 10, and it will be available on video. Take a few minutes to view the trailer. You will meet women in 10 countries who are fighting back against brutal situations. It also shows that all of us can have a positive impact on problems around the world.
In addition to the questions asked of the two presidential candidates in their first debates, we may need to ask ourselves what we should demand of these male leaders in terms of fighting injustices against women. We can't suppress half the world's population and begin to achieve our best social, political or financial goals.
- Half the Sky Movement: http://www.halftheskymovement.org/
- PBS: http://www.pbs.org/
