3 Review(s)

Half The Sky is a powerful work that deals with the global oppression of women that stems centuries back to the present day. The award-winning husband-wife duo, Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn, in their work, talk about the years of institutional oppression on women. Summary Of The Book Women have been subject to all forms of suppression in this patriarchal world. The authors, Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn, discuss various important moral issues connected to this subjugation. Half The Sky deals with a range of problems from sexual violence, prostitution, abortion, financial dependence and lack of educational opportunities. There is an urgent need for reformation. This cannot be achieved by a few protests. This work points out the need to people together and unify all towards a common goal of women’s emancipation from specific gendered crimes. This will also require institutional help as well. There are a number of NGOs that are stated in this book. The authors also state events and other support gained through this book and for this book. Special mention to EngenderHealth and CARE has also been provided in Half The Sky. A documentary has also been made based on this book by PBS’ Independent Lens, 2012. There are various celebrities who have publicly supported this work including Eva Mendes, Diane Lane, Olivia Wilde, and Meg Ryan. The documentary showcases different women who have overcome the most gruesome circumstances and conditions. The possible solution that the book states is the establishment of better educational facilities and microfinance for the female population worldwide. About The Authors Nicholas Kristof is best known for his works on human rights and sexual trafficking. He has written various journalistic expositions that deal with social issues. This reputed author, op-ed columnist and journalist has also won two Pulitzer Prizes. He is best known for his work Half The Sky, which he co-wrote with his wife. Other books he’s written are Thunder from the East: Portrait of a Rising Asia and  China Wakes: The Struggle for the Soul of a Rising Power. He has been associated with The New York Times as an op-ed columnist. He has written extensively on human rights. A Pulitzer Prize winner, Sheryl Wudunn is a Chinese American author and business executive who has written about a wide variety issues ranging from the social, political to the economical. Apart from this book, she has also co-authored Thunder from the East: Portrait of a Rising Asia with Kristof. With the enormous experience in business, entrepreneurship, finances and journalism, Sheryl Wudunn has co-authored Half The Sky which deals with women issues at large from a social and financial point of view.