Srey Rath. Her name sounds foreign, but chances are, her face looks like someone you know. That's one of the benefits to living in a diverse nation like ours. We meet people whose ancestors come from all over the globe, and we have begun to recognize that all people, no matter where they have come from, have worth and value.
To quote Thomas Jefferson and "The Declaration of Independence," "All men are created equal, . . they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights . . . among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
And when I say "all men," I also mean all women.
It's stunning, shocking even, to think that this woman could be sold as a slave. Yes, that's what it is. She was sold as a slave simply because she is a woman.
This is not an isolated case. And this is not the only way that women are discriminated against and oppressed.
Kristof and WuDunn claim that the mistreatment of women actually reinforces poverty. Moreover, "helping women can be a successful poverty-fighting strategy in the world" (xix). Educating women and empowering them to start businesses will "raise living standards in ways that [astonish] scholars and foundations" (xx). They claim empowerment of women works to help everyone.
In this blog, I want you to post your response to this chapter.
- You can discuss this situation or any of the other descriptions of oppression or attitudes toward women.
- Alternatively, you can discuss the evidence Kristof and WuDunn provide that supports their claim.
- You can ask questions that you hope the authors will answer.
- You can express skepticism.
- You can respond to something someone else has posted.
- You can do more than one of these things.
Your post should be somewhere around 350 words.
I would like to preface by declaring a happy International Women's Day! What a better day than today to read the introduction to Half the Sky. Reading the inspirational stories of women truly prompted me to influence some sort of change. However, like most people I would have just thrown money at some charity but, as it was pointed out in the introduction, there are better ways of initiating change. Tossing money at the problem is kind of like eating something spicy and drinking water. Sure your tongue feels a bit better when the water is in your mouth, but as soon as the water is swallowed, the searing pain comes back, and this time with a vengeance. Instead of following Peter Singer's advice and relinquishing a ton of capital to one or two reputable organizations, who’s benefits are greatly appreciated and helpful, we can cut out the middle man and directly pay for things like textbooks, sanitary pads, new uniforms, or financing micro loans. Smaller simpler donations for tangible items can influence a greater change. I felt so inspired by the words of Kristof and WuDunn that I considered taking half the money that was going toward my septum piercing to make a donation for the things I mentioned earlier. Of course some people would ask why I wouldn't take all the money going toward my piercing and donate that. Well I would, and I am tempted to, but I haven't reached that level of selflessness just yet, unfortunately. I do, indeed, feel like a jerk for saying it but it's true. But even still, I am donating a sum of money which, as the filmmakers behind Living on One Dollar would assert, still has the potential to generate a ripple large enough to benefit more than just one person. Anyway, I wouldn't have been inspired to make such a sacrifice, albeit it is a very small sacrifice to say the least, if it were not for the brilliant way the introduction was narrated. The introduction focused on individuals who transformed the incidents of moral turpitude that were randomly forced upon them into stories of success and hope. Personally I find it appalling that bride burning, sex trafficking, dowries and other acts rooted in selfishness and a chauvinistic display of power continue to exist, and that they even existed in the first place!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the way Aaron describes his inspiration toward making a change after reading The Girl Effect. It is easy to swipe a debit and make a purchase on a pair of shoes even when I have fifteen other pairs in my closet. Where do we draw the line on necessity or want? If I want something I just go out and buy it. I justify my outrageous purchases by telling myself that I have worked hard all week and deserve it. I like to think that most Americans are the same, but what is the change that allows someone to be more selfless? Becoming more aware of making a change in my life (which I see get more and more overran by labels and material possessions) is something that would not only benefit myself, but would make a great impact on many peoples lives. I like the way Kristof and WuDunn end the introduction in Half The Sky by stating, “This is a story of transformation. It is change that is already taking place, and change that can accelerate if you’ll just open your heart and join in.” Becoming aware of the struggle woman continue to face and the progress that is being made shows not only the cruelty in mankind but the kindness people convey for complete strangers. Along with the hardships women are facing Kristof and WuDunn also address the positive empowerment and transformations many women are starting to see. Organizations are willing to help women gain education; grant loans are being given to build businesses and movements are taking place toward the emancipation of women and girls. As the introduction explains sex trafficking, rape, abuse, and the empty promises being made to women I begin to feel angry and ignorant to the fact that it is still happening. It is easy to remain in the dark about women being viewed as disposable when you are living the “American Dream”. I hope to see Kristof and Wudunn expand on what readers can do to help and bring to light stories of people who have made the change to become selfless.
DeleteReading "The Girl Effect" in "Half the Sky" made me upset because of the fact that women go through what Srey Rath went through every day. It makes me sick that parents have to worry about their daughter going out with her friends, and worry if she is going to get kidnapped and be sold to trafficking. I guess the world has become sick enough to sell teenagers into sex for money. Hearing Rath's story made me sad for all the bad things that had happened to her. Which is why I am happy to see that more people in the world are fighting to keep women safe? To make sure they are not kidnapped and not sold into trafficking anymore, or at least trying. Agreeing with what Aaron said, the problem is not going to go away with money. Money may solve some people's problems but not all the money in the world can solve this problem. Mark Twain makes some valuable points in his article. One point being that women could help in today’s epidemics. Mark believes that women can help end world poverty much faster if men could put aside their pride. I agree with Mark in this point because women tend to bring much better ideas to epidemics. But men and their pride are surprisingly more important to them than solving world problems faster. Men think that women should stay in their “place” which they then say the “kitchen.” This makes many women and some men angry because the stereotype is untrue. For instance, there are many women who fight in the military and do many other things for this country. These men have seen that women have made a step up from the kitchen and they still have the nerve to tell them to stay in the kitchen. Men think that since women are not as strong as men, they think that they have nothing to do in the world except cooking for their man and providing other things for him. All untrue as people have seen women participate many things now that only men used to partake in.
ReplyDeleteIt’s unfortunate that this world has a wide array of gender inequality issues happening everyday. There are countries where women are disappearing and the term “gendercide” has been used to describe it. Women are seen as invaluable and have no worth even living. It’s even more disheartening when women abort the fetus they are carrying as they find out that it’s a girl. Children are not given the chance to live, all due to their gender. Even if they are born, girls have a higher chance of dying. The authors share how in India, “mothers are less likely to take their daughters to be vaccinated than their sons.” Mothers even value their sons more than their daughters. This world is even more scary to live in knowing that human and sex trafficking occurs and women are being bought and sold to brothels. Women can be used to strengthen the community and the economy, but they should not be used to earn money by sexually exploiting them. I like the idea of empowering women because there are countries that don’t allow women certain opportunities in life. I’m glad that there are organizations that are working to raise awareness about empowering women and educating them and spreading the word about it. Not only are they raising awareness, but they are physically helping them out with micro-loans. By educating women, not only do they prosper for themselves, but they also help out their family and community. We can’t just focus on other countries especially developing countries. We need to focus on our country as well and make a change at home. The authors made it clear that “ if we are to lead the way, we must show great resolution in cracking down on domestic violence and sex trafficking in our own neighborhoods rather than just sputter about abuses far away.” It’s important that we can make a change all over the world and if people were more aware of the issues surrounding women everyday then we could see more improvements. Every woman should have the opportunity to live an independent and successful life without a man taking control of her destiny or future. I’m privileged to live in a country that doesn’t allow or tolerate certain actions to be done against women and the majority of people accept gender equality. I want to take what I’m blessed and privileged to have and help work on giving other women opportunities in life. I hope to learn more about possible ways to help and read more success stories. Women shouldn’t be seen as victims, but as human beings who have so much potential and success in their lives.
ReplyDeleteSrey Rath's story is not only a story it is reality that takes place in many areas around the word not because it si their choice but rather they are being forced into doing so. Nicholas Kristof does a grea job of bringing her story to life because not only did he mention Rath's background but how even through her struggles she became successful with the help of others. As people who live in the same world as those who are going through these unbelievable events we must unite in order to make a change not only in topics such as global poverty but also global gender inequality that exists but in different levels. Not giving women/girls the same level of equality that males get is horrible especially when it comes to health reasons where to male is preferred over the female and may lead to their death. This should not happen to any female and must be stopped because the life of a female is just as precious as the one of a male. Even in the United States women are not seem as equal so they are sometimes underpaid or taken advantage of even though women are capable of working at the same level as men and even sometimes work better than men. Educating women in such horrid countries is a great idea because not only will they be receiving help to live a better life but they will be getting the needed information to become successful in life and later have what they never actually dreamed they could have. Kristof brings up the topic of stories of hope which is amazing because I believe people are not as interested in plain tragic stories that does not really have any positive meaning. But when the story of Rath is brought up where she managed to become an amazing sales woman, this is hope, this is what people want to see. By doing so people will know that their donations are making a difference in someone's life.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that equality hasn't been reached for women? Is it that men in such countries are so egotistical and can't imagine a world with this equality in it?
If the tables were turned would men want their stories to be heard and how would they react? Would women actually want equality for them even if different gender?
Before reading “half the sky” I was aware of only some of the discrepancies women face, but after reading this story I have become aware of a whole other level of racial discrimination the dark and oppressed side that many of us don’t know fully about. For example many women are discriminated and treated inferior to men because they are seen as “replaceable” whereas men and children are seen as irreplaceable. The way the authors demonstrate this point is by introducing real life examples of families who prefer to treat boys and rush them to the emergency room if their sick as opposed to females who just wait and see if she gets better. This particular example is surprisingly sad because no individual has the power to determine who gets to live and who gets to dies simply because they are born male or female. Everyone is born the same way and has the same functions as each other and to determine who is superior is just wrong. In the contrary, as Mark demonstrates in this chapter women are a fundamental part in today’s society diminishing poverty, terrorism, and increasing the health of a country as well as education. One way to prove this is by looking at countries that are in poverty and suffer from terrorism all lack women who are educated and treated as well as men are. Mark demonstrates this by introducing evidence and information which indicate that if females become more educated and given an opportunity they will play a major part in decisions. In countries where women participate in the labor force and have an education all drive up their economy (gmt)and as Mark states “women aren’t the problem but the solution” which indicates how important female lives should be valued as much as men’s are. Throughout the text we are constantly reminded of the hardship and injustice women have to endure in this gruesome world. However Mark as well as other experts all agrees that women have to power to change the world we live in. Improving education, the standard of living among other things.
ReplyDeleteReading the introduction of this book "Half the Sky" was a big eye opener for me and I bet you, for the countless readers of Kristof and WuDunn as well. Learning the tragic fate and rise of Srey Rath, who at a young age was forced into prostitution and sex slavery, her story is of courage and triumph. But how many stories ended positively this way? How many have successfully escaped the menacing claws of the oppressors? Maybe a handful compared to thousands, if not, millions of women and young girls victimized and brutalized everyday. Srey Rath may have overcame her horrific ordeal but her emotional scars will forever remain. But I applaud Kristof and WuDunn's crusade - women empowerment. When the authors encourage everyone "to join an incipient movement to emancipate women and fight global poverty by unlocking women's power as economic catalysts," I truly believe in them. Although this is a big task to fulfill, it is still doable. We have seen evidence of women in today's world who are big business tycoons, CEOs of respectable and successful companies, or even head of a state. Women are very much capable just like men. But then again, it is widespread that most of these victimized women and young girls came from poor countries and whose cultures are somewhat primitive, backward, and strange. I don't want to appear ridiculing these countries or sound being sarcastic here. But the fact is, when one hears or reads about honor killings, sexual slavery, and genital cutting as being practiced and maybe tolerated in these countries, it is no longer a taboo. How can we change a culture whose traditions and customs are deep-rooted in their faith ... beliefs that had been handed down from generation to generation? The authors' crusade might move at a snail's pace but then again, theirs is a noble and genuine cause that I, optimistically believe their viewers will embrace and follow. As what I have previously learned from the film "Living on One Dollar," incremental changes has a profound effect towards progress.
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading the introduction I kept thinking why would the authors choose to focus all their energy and attention to the mistreatment of women? Don't get me wrong, as a woman of course I get very upset when I hear stories of rape, domestic violence and all the other outrageous monstrous abuse that my female counterparts have to endure some times in their lives, I cannot imagine the terrors they must go through and it is extremely heartbreaking. Even yet, I ask this question because the world has so many other more conflicts besides the oppression of women such as child abuse, pollution, natural resources running out, population growth, military spending etc, i feel like the list goes on. It's not until the end of the introduction that Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn answered my question as they explained, "It's true that there are many injustices in the world, many worthy causes competing for attention and support, and we all have divided allegiances. We focus on this topic because, to us, this kind of oppression feels transcendent-and so does the opportunity. (xxi)". In other words this topic is very significant and I absolutely agree. I believe men are wired very differently than us women, proven by research studies like the one Ragini Verma, University of Pensylvannia among other scientists have realized, male brains may be optimized for motor skills, and female brains may be optimized for analytical and intuitive thinking. Somehow some stereotypical characteristics of men and women hold true. For example men have stronger reactions when exposed to sex, as to women have strong reactions to emotions and decision-making processes. I guess the point I am trying to make comes in more questions, if Kristoff and WuDunn think educating women is the way to go when trying to better the world, does it have to do with how we are differently wired? Or is it because, generally speaking, one is more sympathetic than the other? Where and how did the abuse towards women start? I look forward to reading more success stories and learning the root reasons why women are being mistreated in other parts of the world.
ReplyDeleteThe introduction of “Half the Sky” has broadened and supported the observations on the subject of women oppression, which is only one of many other global issues that are prevalent. I believe that making a subject solely aware to the public has very little effect, but provided with the information that makes an argument or statement more effective in nullifying the effects of a certain issue by implicating the facts and backstories of those whom are affected, then there is a greater likelihood that there will be a change made for the greater good. There are a handful of alternative methods of approaching the issue and decreasing its malingering presence in the world. Oppression emphasizes that not all people are determined to be equal because of their ethnicity, beliefs and gender, which may be partly of the human nature to recognize others through a dividend label of human. To help the cause, effective support is directed to the core of the problem through the individuals suffering and those nearby dealing with the same disaster. Such that women are given the benefit of obtaining equal educational standards as men, they also contribute to the support of their families and communities to develop greater living conditions for others and boost the improvements from other issues. Once the factors of ethnical background and gender are no longer regarded to be obstacles, then the human equality could likely seem to reach its pinnacle. I am also considering the sub-topic issue behind certain movements aimed at creating a change. How likely would one be, after having watched the news or a controversial issue, to instantly decide to act upon the events to do something directly for the situation? Surely the instincts people have to respond to certain things are a metaphorical fight or flight response but negligence is likely to be made present over a period of time. How long after first being exposed to a topic before it is forgotten? Would one still be willing to develop the effort to drive for the same cause? Sadly there are always those that seem desensitized or cold hearted of the facts. Hope can ride alone, but gathered in masses it can make a transcendental change.
ReplyDeleteSeth Rath’s story on the “The Girl Effect” in the “Half the Sky” disturbed me because knowing that women go through trafficking everyday just like Rath’s did. It saddens me because women especially teenage girls get tricked on working on a place or winning a vacation, parents trust they’ll be safe but turns out they are sold to strangers in order to have sex for money. The author Nicholas Kristoff mentions Rath’s background, it is very powerful for what she went through all the struggles she overcame and knowing she got out of it safe and now she is willing to help mistreated women. We live in a cruel world were women are still not equal to men in some parts of the country; women are mostly mistreated on places where poverty takes place. Women are not just hurt physically but also mentally and emotionally. Moreover, people believed that giving money to charity will solve global problems when in reality money may help a little but won’t solve the whole problem. Kristof believes if it is based on a person’s story it can catches people attention to want and help instead of just mentioning a cause. Men should move their pride aside and open their eyes that if women get education and treated equally, there wouldn’t be so much poverty in the world. Kristof later mentions that in some if the husband dies his wife must die with him, or if the man doesn’t want his wife anymore he can leave her and remarried. Many men believed that women are just made to clean the house, raised children and pleased them but that’s just a stereotype. In addition, daughters aren’t valued in the family like the sons are, if a woman is pregnant with a girl she must get an abortion because there are “too much” women in the country that they don’t need more. In conclusion, these countries men underestimate women’s abilities in life, they are mistreated and are taken advantage, and this makes me unhappy because these women let themselves are treated like that because they believe that it is right.
ReplyDeleteNicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn discuss very good points about the oppression of women around the world and conclude that more needs to be done to emancipate women and battle global poverty. They illustrate stories of hope such as Srey Rath, who was a young girl threw into human trafficking and was able to escape twice and still live a happy life. Rath was further assisted by the American Assistance for Cambodia and was able to start her own successful business. However, there are many other stories of woman who just suffer from cruelty. For instance Naeema Azar, a woman from Pakistan who was blinded after her ex husband threw acid on her. Yet the only help she has now is from her 12 year old son who guides her. Another example would be Ummi Ababiya, who was malnourished because her parents decided to make sure the males were given priority when food was scarce and now she has to be put in a feeding center. Other woman in countries such as Ethiopia and China also suffer from malnutrition and no medical attention because males are considered to be more important. The question is than raised about how do you change the male dominant cultures of many places around the world? Oppression of woman has long been a problem. Males were always seen as the dominant gender because of their physicality but that is no longer the question. I believe that men and woman are created equal and should be given the same rights and opportunities. But women are still being oppressed even in our country. We are not gender equal in the United States. For example laws are still being passed today due to discrimination based on gender in the workplace. How do we help fix a problem that we don’t have a solution to ourselves? In contrast, Kristof and Wudunn believe to empower woman and educate them would help raise the economy and gender equality around the world. Studies from the World Bank and UNDP show an increase in economic productivity. However, no studies were discussed about improvements to gender equality of women in other countries. Do we just continue to help microfinance the education of woman and hope for improvements in gender equality in those countries we aid? Or should we focus on ending global poverty to change the way woman are treated first? There are many questions to ask but there is no easy solution to such a large problem.
ReplyDeleteIt’s inspiring and motivating to read stories such as The Girl Effect in the book titled Half the Sky that state the facts as well as incorporate valuable and moral knowledge.
ReplyDeleteNicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn advocate that females around the world are being discriminated against as a lower class of the human race, and are being abused, made disappeared, and even killed, due to the lack of equality morals. Therefor gender discrimination causes poverty, which they support with studies such as the one done by Amartya Sen, the Nobel Prize-winning economist, where studies result in an estimated 107 million females are missing around the globe today. The men and woman are described to be arrogant and/or ignorant who partake in the horrific belief. Kristof and Wudunn continue to persuade the reader to work together as a milestone.
Sometimes stories told by people whom we trust and are closer to home make a deeper impact on the listener. My friend told me about a similar story to the story of Srey Rath. She described a situation in which her daughter-in-law was once victimized by human-trafficking here in the United States. She was locked up naked; physically beat, drugged, rapped, and brainwashed to not fled during transportation. My friend had also explained in great detail the significance of power involved in this black market the wealthy men who pay for these services. Eventually the daughter-in-law escaped, got married, and had a child, and is currently a speaker about human-trafficking in various programs to help educate Americans that something needs to be done, but she still lives in fear that she’s being watched by her kidnappers and might be taken again.
The public needs consistent reminders about the elimination importance of human-trafficking, and what the community can do to help stop the slavery and about what’s really going on in the world as opposed to consistent distractions of fallacy reality or stories that lack priority headlining on the news.
Nonetheless, these stories told in The Girl Effect springs with triumphancy and hope.
In their introduction to the book titled, “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women World Wide,” by journalists Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, discuss that gender inequality increases poverty and argue that promoting gender equality by giving women education and micro-financing can help reduce poverty. They support their claim by providing Srey Rath's personal experience as a survivor of sex trafficking and a successful business woman, then by describing their personal experiences as journalists who reported mainly on violations of human rights, and finally by referencing expert opinions related to their argument. Kristof's and WuDunn's purpose is to reach to their audience, readers of this book, to join the movement of emancipating women in order to fight poverty. They use a vivid, informational, and narrative tone to address their audience of activists and feminists interested in global poverty, human rights, and gender equality.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kristof's and WuDunn's argument in their introduction. In my View, I can see how gender inequality in a nation can play a domino effect that results in constituting a nation's increase in poverty. For instance, if all the families were to rely on just men to have a job, as many countries still do, that would mean that that men would be the only ones to bring money necessary for the family to have food, shelter, and probably an education. If there was a case on which there is only one man in the family who becomes ill or not suitable to work, then the family would struggle with no source of income to help support the expenses of food, shelter, and the education of their children. However, if women were to be allowed more freely to have a non-discriminating job, then the household income can increase, and in the event that someone becomes unfit to work, there is a partnership that can bring support. Some people might object saying that women only belong in the house to rear the children and take care of the house. Yet I would say that a woman's job can actually facilitate the rearing of children by having money to send them to school, buy food to feed them, and help to pay for household appliances like electricity and water use. Overall then, I believe that Kristof's and WuDunn's argument brings light about why people are still poor – an important point to make given that by finding how one thing is started we can develop a plan to stop it.
Before reading the assigned chapter, The Girl Effect, I had prior knowledge to many of what the book was pointing out, honor killings, female genital mutilations, and human trafficking. I had learned all this and more, from my previous anthropology class. It is true among many that these stories depicted in the reading is saddening, But it’s their culture. I agree that the way women have been treated in comparison to men, is terrible. Males are held in high regards over females and are treated as such. If there is food only enough for one meal for one person, it will be given to the male instead of splitting it into portions for all, leaving the women dangerously malnourished. The same can be said about medical attention, the father will more likely spend money on helping his sick son, than to help his bed ridden daughter. A large amount of points the author makes is related to culture of that region and I believe that we have no right to interfere. It’s a hard concept to follow but, it’s the same principle as when a stranger tells you that the way you live your life is wrong. But with that being said, I’m not one to turn down when someone is asking for help. The Self Employed Women’s Association in India is a great foundation for those seeking help. I know that there are many widowed women in India that are forced to wear white and are removed from the household once their spouse has died, so foundations like these can change their lives. The microfinance that targeted women borrowers at the Grameen Bank is something else I can get behind. I can support these types of organizations because I feel that this is change that’s happening inside of the community, not because of outside influences. This was brought upon for the reason that a considerable amount of people in the region felt the urgency to change how their society views females. My line of reasons is completely torn between helping other societies and interfering with their culture, or leave things how it is and let it run its course.
ReplyDeleteGender equality has been a battle that has been fought for a long time in the United States. The for the gender equality has proven to be rewarding to those women living in America, allowing them to have equal opportunities than men in both social, political, and economic standpoints. Women in the United States still believe that there is work to be done in the area of gender equality, and recognize the need for gender equality in other remote parts of the world. Srey Rath represents the neglected women who are suffering from gender inequality. It is strange for me to understand how in many countries women are treated as third-class citizens and sold into sex-trafficking and slavery. In the United States these kinds of situations are unheard of. Rath is the face that represents the suffering and plight of women around the world who are suffering from severe oppression. It is up to us women to encourage the movement of justice and give the less fortunate women a voice.
ReplyDeleteSituations like that of Rath are common in third world countries. Women are the lowest of the low in society, and thought of as worthless beings. In the Middle East women are oppressed severely, forced to obey their husbands every command and often times in some countries women are denied the right to acquire an education. I was told a story a young girl who was going to school and suddenly her government and the Taliban took away her right to go to school along with other girls. This young girl was very smart and she believed that the way to make it out of poverty was through education. She spoke out against this injustice around the Middle East until she began to receive threats from radical terrorists group that if she continued to speak her opinion about woman being denied the right to education they would kill her. She ignored these threats and out of bravery continued to do the right thing and motivate women to fight for education. A terrorist group attempted to kill her yet they were unsuccessful. this girl was badly injured yet her spirits were still high, and her hopes set high on the privilege of being able to go to school freely one day.
Before reading this i had some knowledge of how women are mistreated and mutilated in some countries so before even knowing what the whole topic was about i had idea of what was going down. Women and society and in modern times are looked highly upon. most women have high positions in the world wether it's running a big corperate business, being a mayor, or even trying to run for president. regardless of what it is women have it easy here compared to what really goes on in other countries. In other parts of the work women are looked down upon and are treated horribly. Women have no saying in anything and are neglected, sold, or used for human trafficking. In the U.S that's illegal and none of that is ever done here and is a foreign thing to us. No one has really took the time to approach these situations and come out against them and represent them to abolish this and the neglect of women. Some countries treat their women like slaves and if they don't listen they get in trouble and to say thats ok is not right. Instead of wasting money on all the things i constantly buy and feel like i need but don’t really need can go to donations that can be used to help make any difference, every donation helps. It moves me to know that if i did something small like that it can make a difference. Saying you are and doing it are two totally different things. This can go back to the film, they show struggles not only women go to but everyone else. Women are put in dangerous situations trying to cook in that kind of environment and dangers just to start the fire and have to do more and take care of children. No american would want to live in that situation especially women, if they put themselves in that position they would make a difference and donate instantly. The struggles and horrible things women are put throughout because other countries think it’s right thing to do and do it a difference like burn brides, traffic women and neglect women treating them like slaves. What they say is powerful and should really be take seriously.
ReplyDeleteReading the introduction of “Half the Sky” and “The Girl Effect” helped me reflect upon many different things at once. I want to start by saying that the first thing that comes to my mind when reading about subjects like these is how blessed I am. I can’t help but think how unfair life can be to people that are equal to me. It is a devastating subject and a horrifying occurrences that women face in today's society, from human trafficking to daily discrimination. Women have faced many inequalities and continue to struggle in hopes of a better life.
ReplyDeleteBy just reading the introduction, I can infer that this book leads to much critical thinking as it talks about factual statements about women suffering from female gendercide in India, and how women keep on being treated unfairly. It breaks my heart to read about women who live horrible lifestyles and can’t do anything about their situations. I have always been interested in knowing about women’s rights and their development in our world, since our gender has always been discriminated and judged since times of early history.
Overall, related to the book, I think that Kristof and WuDunn did an excellent job in portraying facts in a way that attracts the reader wanting to know more about their unfortunate lifestyles. I hope that as the story goes on, that the authors give examples and suggestions of realistic things that people can do I order to help these women, besides donating money.